Developing Professionals’ Capacity in Agricultural Extension Service Using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has already been recognized as an efficient mean of communication which enables user to exchange information and knowledge in a comprehensive manner. Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) is responsible for transferring farm-innovation to the rural clienteles in Bangladesh. However, little is known about the role of ICT in facilitating DAE’s functions. Therefore, the key concern of this study was to determine the effect of ICT use to frontline

extension professionals’ (here, SAAO) capacity building in delivering effective extension service. Attempts were also made to determine the factors that contribute extension professionals’ ICT use behavior and their problems faced to use ICTs in carrying out their services. A theoretical model was proposed based on the notion of well-known technology acceptance model, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) (Venkatesh, et al., 2003) which incorporated with the concept of capacity building. Data were collected from 131 SAAOs of five upazilas of Rangpur district using a structured interview schedule during 15 vii

th July-30 th July, 2017. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used in accordance with the objectives of the study. Data were analyzed by Partial Least Square-based Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using Smart PLS v2.0 whereas to analyze the qualitative data (i.e., problems faced by extension professionals in using ICTs), ‘thematic analysis’ (Boyatzis, 1998) was used. Results revealed that the extent of ICT use by extension professionals positively influenced and explained 13.1 percent of the variance of perceived capacity building. ICT ownership, ICT self-efficacy and perceived ease of use had positive influence and explained 67.3 percent of the variance of the extent of ICT use while top management support, facilitating condition and subjective norm were found to be non-significant to the extent of ICT use. Concerning the problems, ‘high cost of ICT’ was most frequently reported by extension professionals followed by ‘lack of IT literacy’ and ‘poor IT infrastructure’. Finally, this study offered several theoretical and practical recommendations about the structuring of ICT applications in agricultural extension service.