ABSTRACT

Rice Crop Manager (RCM) is a decision support tool to help increase the yield of Filipino rice farmers. While there is evidence that following RCM recommendations significantly improve their yield, its uptake is far less than expected. This paper attempts to explain the complexities in the adoption of RCM by Filipino farmers. It draws insights from the Technology Acceptance Model and the Integrative Approach to Models of Technology Adoption in the analysis of its findings. This research employed a qualitative approach, using interviews (in-depth and key informant) and participant observation, in investigating its research questions. The main research participants were 30 farmers and 12 key informants composed of RCM focal persons, agricultural extension workers (AEWs), and municipal/city agriculturists. Overall, we argue that there is a need to tackle social system and socio-technical issues relating to RCM adoption. Examples of social system issues include the lack of resources of farmers and poor internet connectivity; of socio-technical issues are conflict with existing initiatives and overwhelming administrative issues in the local agriculture offices. Among the recommendations to improve RCM uptake in the Philippines are addressing the work overload issue of AEWs, improving rural internet access, and integrating a multi-sectoral agriculture extension system.

摘要

Rice Crop Manager (RCM) 是一种决策支持工具，可帮助提高菲律宾稻农的产量。虽然有证据表明遵循 RCM 建议可显着提高其产量，但其吸收率远低于预期。本文试图解释菲律宾农民采用 RCM 的复杂性。在分析其发现时，它从技术接受模型和技术采用模型的综合方法中汲取了见解。本研究采用定性方法，使用访谈（深入和关键知情人）和参与观察来调查其研究问题。主要研究参与者是 30 名农民和 12 名主要知情人，他们由 RCM 联络人、农业推广人员 (AEW) 和市政/城市农学家组成。全面的，我们认为有必要解决与 RCM 采用相关的社会系统和社会技术问题。社会系统问题的例子包括农民资源匮乏和互联网连接不畅；的社会技术问题与当地农业办公室的现有举措和压倒性的行政问题相冲突。提高菲律宾 RCM 采用率的建议包括解决 AEW 的工作超负荷问题、改善农村互联网接入以及整合多部门农业推广系统。的社会技术问题与当地农业办公室的现有举措和压倒性的行政问题相冲突。提高菲律宾 RCM 采用率的建议包括解决 AEW 的工作超负荷问题、改善农村互联网接入以及整合多部门农业推广系统。的社会技术问题与当地农业办公室的现有举措和压倒性的行政问题相冲突。提高菲律宾 RCM 采用率的建议包括解决 AEW 的工作超负荷问题、改善农村互联网接入以及整合多部门农业推广系统。