Agricultural extension officers' adoption of ICT-based extension services: A critical realist approach in Mali

Abstract

Information and communication technology enables extension services to farmers in developing countries. Although they have been deployed and adopted by farmers, the causal mechanisms (i.e., processes through which a result is brought about) underlying their adoption and use have not been adequately studied. This study uses the Critical Realism philosophical perspective to understand and integrate the various factors into a consistent and coherent model for adopting information and communication technology-based extension services by agricultural extension officers in Mali. The study gathered data from 26 extension officers and farmers in Koulikoro and Segou, Mali. We analyzed the data using thematic analysis with the help of the qualitative data analysis software NVivo. The results revealed that the successful adoption of information and communication technology based extension services is the leading factor that can cause extension officers' satisfaction with agricultural extension services. This satisfaction drives societal change, that is, farmers improving their knowledge of extension services and extension officers efficiently disseminating them. In turn, this change may result in higher yield and, thus, better productivity. These findings guide policymakers, managers, and network providers for higher productivity in developing countries.