Utilization of IT-based Services and Communication Technology Media By End-users of Agricultural Research and Extension Networks in the Philippines

摘要

In the Philippines, therc are significant numbers of private and public institutions providing agri-based services utilizing various ICT tools and applicalions. The emergence of cutting-edge communication technologies further makes agri-based servicesmore accessible and extends to a wider coverage. The Philippine National Agricultural Research System (NARS) through the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) ventured into ICT and offer a considerable range of IT-based information and technology services to their respective end-users. The success, however, of any information systems and services can be measured in terms of their usage by the larget end-users. For information to be useful, it must be provided to the right user, at the right time and in the right medium. (David 2003). This paper aimed at presenting the extent of and factors affecting ICT utilization by end-users of services of different subnational (regional) research and extension organizations in the Philippines. It also highlighted the experiences of the different R & E organizations in bringing ICT at the mainstream of agricultural research, technology management and extensionaimed at reaching more clients and encouraging them to proactively participate in the information and know ledge generation and utilization continuum.