ACCESS AND USE OF ICT-MEDIATED RICE TECHNOLOGIES AMONG FARMERS AND AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION WORKERS IN CARAGA, PHILIPPINES

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) provide easy access and use of rice technologies among farmers and agricultural extension workers (AEWs). This paper analyzed how both farmers and AEWs access and use ICT-mediated rice technologies. It also ascertained their socio-demographics and whether or not farmers’ and AEWs’ access have influenced their use of ICT-mediated rice technologies. The study had a survey of 300 randomly selected farmers and 49 AEWs. Results showed that farmers were aged 40-59 years old, attained some or full high school education, with a mean income of Php45,360 every cropping season depending on their farm size. Farmers applied for loans for them to plant rice in the next cropping season. On the other hand, the AEWs were older than the farmers for they belonged to the 51-60 years old (44%) bracket, mostly males, married, and had finished a BS degree in agriculture/agribusiness. Their monthly income ranged from below Php10,000 to a maximum of Php 20,000 at the time of research. Moreover, farmers accessed the Nutrient Manager for Rice (NMRice) through their mobile phones. The AEWs also accessed Palay Check through the Pinoy Rice Knowledge Bank from their office computers or at the cooperative office that they assisted. A slight difference was found between the AEWs’ and farmers’ level of access and use of ICT-mediated rice technologies. This could be because farmers considered AEWs as their conduits or intermediaries in adopting innovative ICT-mediated rice technologies.