ABSTRACT

Agricultural extension in the Global South can benefit greatly from the use of modern information and communication technologies (ICT). Yet, despite two decades of promising experiences, this potential is not fully realized. Here, we review the relevant research literature to inform future investments into agricultural information services that harness the full potential of digital media. We describe a recently emerging innovation agenda that is, in part, a response to the eventual failure of many new agro-advisory initiatives. One important cause of failure has been a focus on pushing certain technologies, rather than responding to the particular communication challenges of potential users. To avoid such bias in designing new services, the new innovation agenda rests on two major foundations: strong user-centredness and problem-orientation. In our review, we first describe how user-centred design methods help in specifying both problems and (digital) solutions in agricultural extension. To inform responses to the communication challenges defined by that analysis, we then describe eight emerging aspects of using ICT for development, and how they can address common deficiencies of agricultural extension. Practical examples from the literature highlight the possibilities and limitations of these innovation directions. Beyond digital design, however, technological innovation requires enabling institutions.

摘要

全球南方的农业推广可以从现代信息和通信技术（ICT）的使用中受益匪浅。然而，尽管有二十年的有希望的经验，但这种潜力尚未完全实现。在这里，我们回顾了相关的研究文献，以告知未来对利用数字媒体全部潜力的农业信息服务的投资。我们描述了最近出现的创新议程，部分是对许多新的农业咨询计划最终失败的回应。失败的一个重要原因是专注于推动某些技术，而不是应对潜在用户的特定通信挑战。为了避免在设计新服务时出现这种偏见，新的创新议程建立在两个主要基础之上：强烈的以用户为中心和以问题为导向。在我们的评论中，我们首先描述了以用户为中心的设计方法如何帮助指定农业推广中的问题和（数字）解决方案。为了应对该分析定义的通信挑战，我们随后描述了使用 ICT 促进发展的八个新方面，以及它们如何解决农业推广的常见缺陷。文献中的实际例子突出了这些创新方向的可能性和局限性。然而，除了数字设计之外，技术创新还需要有能力的机构。然后，我们描述了使用 ICT 促进发展的八个新兴方面，以及它们如何解决农业推广的常见缺陷。文献中的实际例子突出了这些创新方向的可能性和局限性。然而，除了数字设计之外，技术创新还需要有能力的机构。然后，我们描述了使用 ICT 促进发展的八个新兴方面，以及它们如何解决农业推广的常见缺陷。文献中的实际例子突出了这些创新方向的可能性和局限性。然而，除了数字设计之外，技术创新还需要有能力的机构。