Beyond Diffusion of Improved Technologies to Promoting Innovation Creation and Information Sharing for Increased Agricultural Productivity: A Case Study of Malawi and Kenya

Abstract

For several decades, various sub-Saharan Africa governments have been proactive in revamping their agricultural extension service delivery systems through establishment and revisions of their agricultural extension policies. Despite the existence and implementation of these policies, productivity in small holder farms in these countries is still low several years later. The need to enhance agricultural production is still cited as a challenge, with low adoption of improved technologies being found as the major contributing factor. This study used a qualitative approach to examine farmers’ perceptions regarding the role of extension agents in the diffusion of innovations and its implications on sustainable agricultural development in Malawi and Kenya. Increased focus on using agricultural extension as an improved technology dissemination tool was found to be one of the factors contributing to low agricultural productivity. This among others was as result of failure by extension to tap valuable information, useful knowledge, skills and resources which was found to be available among farmers in both countries. The findings imply farmers no longer value their local knowledge and are uncomfortable sharing it amongst themselves. However, addressing the challenge of low agricultural productivity (heavily impacted by climate change) in these countries requires a shift in approach when delivering agricultural extension services. These changes include the use of interactive Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to solicit feedback and input from farmers and to enhance the two-way communication process. Keywords: diffusion of innovations; extension education; improved technologies; policy

Information and Communication Technology Use Capacity Within Extension Networks: Development and Preliminary Validation of an Empirical Scale

“…A shift from the traditional view of farmers as passive recipients of knowledge toward interactive, two-way communication between extension officers and farmers allows for the incorporation of farmers' opinions, experiences, and knowledge into these messages. This collaboration is necessary for the current global landscape (Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020) and requires network members to transition from technology promoters to dialogue facilitators (Abdu-Raheem & Worth, 2016;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020;Masangano et al, 2017). Many ICT initiatives fail to increase knowledge share among farmers, which affects an extension networks' ability to receive feedback and local knowledge (Hudson et al, 2017;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020).…”

“…This collaboration is necessary for the current global landscape (Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020) and requires network members to transition from technology promoters to dialogue facilitators (Abdu-Raheem & Worth, 2016;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020;Masangano et al, 2017). Many ICT initiatives fail to increase knowledge share among farmers, which affects an extension networks' ability to receive feedback and local knowledge (Hudson et al, 2017;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020). Emerging user-driven ICTs (e.g., blogs, Twitter, and Facebook) may be leveraged to overcome existing challenges (Sulaiman et al, 2012).…”

“…Emerging user-driven ICTs (e.g., blogs, Twitter, and Facebook) may be leveraged to overcome existing challenges (Sulaiman et al, 2012). Increased investment in ICTs may also enhance dissemination of agricultural information (Ajani, 2014;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020;Okediran et al, 2018). Governments and business networks represent two entities that can support ICT adoption and develop policies favorable to ICT use and adoption (Narine et al, 2019b;Taylor, 2015).…”

“…However, the theory is not amenable to examining the complex social and relational dimensions that affect ICT adoption (Taylor, 2015). The traditional one-way method of information diffusion may not improve agricultural productivity, due to the exclusion of local farmer knowledge, skills, and resources (Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020). The diffusion of local and indigenous innovations and knowledge, along with traditionally scientific technologies, is critical to ICT development appropriate for local needs.…”

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“…A shift from the traditional view of farmers as passive recipients of knowledge toward interactive, two-way communication between extension officers and farmers allows for the incorporation of farmers' opinions, experiences, and knowledge into these messages. This collaboration is necessary for the current global landscape (Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020) and requires network members to transition from technology promoters to dialogue facilitators (Abdu-Raheem & Worth, 2016;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020;Masangano et al, 2017). Many ICT initiatives fail to increase knowledge share among farmers, which affects an extension networks' ability to receive feedback and local knowledge (Hudson et al, 2017;Masambuka-Kanchewa et al, 2020).…”