A holistic approach to understanding ICT implementation challenges in rural advisory services: lessons from using farmer learning videos

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This paper examines the challenges of implementing Farmer Learning Videos (FLV) in Rural Advisory Services (RAS) through a holistic approach. Our study focuses on a clear theoretical and managerial question – how do RAS manage FLV that does not easily fit into traditional models?

Design/methodology/approach

The research collected data through semi-structured interviews (138 respondents) and focus group discussions (342 participants) in 30 RAS. The framework built drives the data analysis.

Findings

The study shows that although most of the RAS provided poor support and did not write FLV in their project documents, many are increasingly using FLV. Extension workers see FLV as a way to efficiently and effectively achieve their goals – a helpful tool that could reduce workload. Moreover, the presence of FLV champions who are generally young and the high level of positive attitude toward FLV as well as collaboration with other organizations favor the increasing use of FLV.

Practical implications

The results of this study can be used by policymakers and RAS to improve the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) into their work.

Theoretical implications

This study sheds more light on the importance of a holistic approach to thoroughly understand the challenges of FLV implementation in RAS with theoretical implications for their design, implementation, and analysis.

Originality

This study reports the first known application of a holistic approach to understanding the challenges of FLV implementation in RAS in Benin.

KEYWORDS:

• Farmer learning videos
• Benin
• holistic approach
• diagnostic framework
• rural advisory services
• ICT

Acknowledgements

We thank all the members of the Laboratoire de Recherche sur l’Innovation pour le Développement Agricole (LRIDA) for their valuable contribution and Access Agriculture for funding this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by Video for Farmers’ project implemented by Access Agriculture with funding from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation [Project Number 7F-08378.01].

Notes on contributors

Mori W. Gouroubera

Mori W. Gouroubera holds a PhD in Communication and Agricultural Extension from the University of Parakou, Benin. His research interests include organization and institution, capitalization of experience, agricultural digitalization and innovation systems.

Ismail M. Moumouni

Ismail M. Moumouni is a Full Professor in Agricultural Sociology at the Faculty of Agronomy and Director of the Laboratory of Research on Innovation for Agricultural Development (LRIDA), University of Parakou, Benin. He received his PhD from the Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany. His primary research interests include knowledge management and process facilitation.

Florent Okry

Florent Okry is a Lecturer and currently Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the National University of Agriculture in Porto-Novo (Benin). He received his PhD from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. His research interests include video mediated learning, innovation systems, agroecological knowledge management and seed systems analysis.

Latifou Idrissou

Latifou Idrissou is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Benin. He holds a PhD in Social Sciences from Wageningen University, The Netherlands. His research interests include conflicts management and agricultural innovation platforms.