Modernization of Agriculture and Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Farmers in Coastal Yogyakarta

Abstract

In the development process, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), which also commonly referred to as electronic media or cyber media have been acknowledged as a new instrument that could facilitate the need of new information and innovation for rural people or farmers. However, several studies reported that extension and communication based-electronic media in developing countries encounter more problems rather than in developed countries. This research aims to investigate the ownership, access, utilization or functions of ICTs for obtaining information supporting the daily life of farmers and for promoting various farming activities in the coastal area of Kulon Progo Regency Yogyakarta. The research method of the study was a descriptive method that has been conducted by a mixed method. The study found that in line with modernization in agriculture, farmers have been using conventional and new electronic media including television, radio and mobile phone with function for getting new information. Conventional electronic media are still dominant while the use of new electronic media has been gradually increasing. Information gathered from ICTs includes social, cultural, economic, health and environmental issues. The use of new electronic media particularly the internet via smartphone has newly started to be utilized among farmers in the coastal farming area who intensively engaged in horticulture crops cultivation mainly for getting and exchange the market information. Information on technological innovation is still dominant among farmers. Better infrastructure and mobility access, improvement of telecommunication network and development of content and format of information provided by new media will be prospective in the future

Agricultural market information in developing countries: A literature review

“…At the same time, the use of ICTs also decreases the possibility of asymmetric information in the agricultural market, improves price transparency and increases farmers' participation and bargaining power in the markets (Deichmann et al 2016;Campenhout 2017;Okello et al 2020;Uduji et al 2020;Ullah et al 2020). Subejo et al (2019) reported that the market information provided by ICTs is useful not only for farmers but also for other market participants and the government.…”

“…Although others have begun to use cell phones, the majority of farmers with poor education and income levels still rely on traditional media, such as television, as their source of information. This is largely due to their inability to use or afford modern technology access (Subejo et al 2019). An area of concern related to this is the fact that extension staff also have insufficient/inadequate knowledge of ICTs, specifically the user-friendliness of the technologies.…”

“…At the same time, they need timely and accurate market information that can help improve their marketing decisions (Getnet 2008). The typical sources of marketing information are radio, television, mobile phones, computers with Internet, VCDs or DVDs and various forms of printed media, such as bulletins, newspapers, books, magazines, corporate reports and statistical office reports (Darena 2007;Subejo et al 2019).…”

Development Strategies of the Local Auction Market of Agricultural Product in Indonesia

“…This problem then made market participants were dissatisfied [46]. According to Subejo et al [47], modern information and communication technologies (ICTs) are only used by peoples who are young and well-educated, have a higher income, and have access to infrastructure and telecommunication networks. Meanwhile, most of the managers and participants of the auction market are aged and uneducated, making it difficult for them to use modern ICTs.…”

Komponen Usahatani Pendukung Penerapan Peningkatan Indeks Pertanaman pada Beberapa Agroekosistem

“…Penyediaan informasi dan akses terhadap fasilitas komunikasi serta perbaikan fasilitas infrastruktur untuk pengembangan jaringan komunikasi SDMC dan peningkatan penerapan inovasi pertanian perlu dioptimalisasi pemanfaatannya agar lebih efektif (Indraningsih 2017). Hal berbeda dikemukakan oleh Farooq et al (2007) dan Subejo et al (2019) bahwa komunikasi antarpetani dan media elektronik lebih efektif dalam penyebaran informasi pertanian dibanding media cetak. Toelle dan Harris (2014) menyatakan sebagian besar penyuluh (64%) menggunakan sarana utama berupa laptop dan proyektor dengan program power point untuk presentasi, meskipun berbagai perangkat teknologi dan aplikasi multimedia tersedia untuk kegiatan penyuluhan.…”