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.
Description:
A Thesis
Submitted to the Faculty of Agriculture,
Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka,
in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS)
IN
AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION
