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The Attitudes of Agricultural Extension Workers towards the Use of E-Extension for Ensuring Sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Author

Listed:
  • Adeel Afzal

    (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Faisal Sultan Al-Subaiee

    (Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Society, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2460, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulrahman A. Mirza

    (Department of Information systems, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, P.O. Box 51178, Riyadh 11543, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

E-extension as a modern mode of communication can be used to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of extension services for agricultural sustainability. E-extension is the delivery of extension services using the Internet and the latest information communication technologies (ICTs), which allow networking, online sharing, and collaboration. Extension workers are a key factor in conducting an effective agricultural extension work plan; therefore, understanding extension workers’ attitudes towards the use of E-extension is important. It has been noted in some studies that, before implementing ICTs, positive attitudes from extension workers is required. This study analyzed the attitudes of extension workers towards the use of E-extension in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A survey questionnaire was developed comprising statements regarding E-extension and then distributed through the post to all 230 extension workers in the Kingdom with the help of the Ministry of Agriculture. The findings show that extension workers generally had a positive attitude towards the use of E-extension. Significant relationships were found between the overall means of extension workers’ attitudes towards E-extension and their age, years of service, and computer experience. In the light of the results, recommendations drawn are as follows: encouraging extension workers, especially those who are older, to use the E-extension system through exclusive training programs and refresher courses; and incorporating combined workshops for extension workers with few and more years of service to eliminate the generation gap and instigating a better understanding of the E-extension system.

Suggested Citation

  • Adeel Afzal & Faisal Sultan Al-Subaiee & Abdulrahman A. Mirza, 2016. "The Attitudes of Agricultural Extension Workers towards the Use of E-Extension for Ensuring Sustainability in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-10, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:8:y:2016:i:10:p:980-:d:79678
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fred D. Davis & Richard P. Bagozzi & Paul R. Warshaw, 1989. "User Acceptance of Computer Technology: A Comparison of Two Theoretical Models," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 35(8), pages 982-1003, August.
    2. World Bank, 2009. "2009 Information and Communications for Development : Extending Reach and Increasing Impact," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 2636, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Chin-Ling Lee & Robert Strong & Kim E. Dooley, 2021. "Analyzing Precision Agriculture Adoption across the Globe: A Systematic Review of Scholarship from 1999–2020," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-15, September.
    2. Adeel Afzal & Sue Kilpatrick & Lydia R. Turner, 2022. "Tasmanian Dairy Farmers’ Attitudes towards Using E-Extension Methods; Strengthening the Dairy Extension System for a Sustainable Dairy Industry in Tasmania, Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Edren M. Panti & Gloria P. Gempes, 2018. "The Mediating Effect of Risk Management Strategies on the Relationship Between Attitude Constructs and Sustainability of Banana Production in Southern Philippines," International Journal of Business and Administrative Studies, Professor Dr. Bahaudin G. Mujtaba, vol. 4(2), pages 68-77.
    4. Nasir Abbas Khan & Qijie Gao & Shoukat Ali & Babar Shahbaz & Palwasha Khan & Muhammad Abid, 2022. "Analyzing ICT-enabled agricultural advisory services in Pakistan: evidence from a marginalized region of Punjab province," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(4), pages 1107-1129, December.
    5. Zhiguo Wang & Junbin Wang & Guoping Zhang & Zhixiong Wang, 2021. "Evaluation of Agricultural Extension Service for Sustainable Agricultural Development Using a Hybrid Entropy and TOPSIS Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.

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