Understanding the complexities in the adoption of the Rice Crop Manager tool in the Philippines

Abstract

Rice Crop Manager (RCM) is a decision support tool to help increase the yield of Filipino rice farmers. While there is evidence that following RCM recommendations significantly improve their yield, its uptake is far less than expected. This paper attempts to explain the complexities in the adoption of RCM by Filipino farmers. It draws insights from the Technology Acceptance Model and the Integrative Approach to Models of Technology Adoption in the analysis of its findings. This research employed a qualitative approach, using interviews (in-depth and key informant) and participant observation, in investigating its research questions. The main research participants were 30 farmers and 12 key informants composed of RCM focal persons, agricultural extension workers (AEWs), and municipal/city agriculturists. Overall, we argue that there is a need to tackle social system and socio-technical issues relating to RCM adoption. Examples of social system issues include the lack of resources of farmers and poor internet connectivity; of socio-technical issues are conflict with existing initiatives and overwhelming administrative issues in the local agriculture offices. Among the recommendations to improve RCM uptake in the Philippines are addressing the work overload issue of AEWs, improving rural internet access, and integrating a multi-sectoral agriculture extension system.

Keywords

• agricultural extension worker
• rice crop manager
• technology acceptance model
• advisory services
• ict in agriculture
• technology uptake