A framework for information management in E-agriculture

Abstract

Agriculture is a vital sector in a developing economy like Uganda’s. ICTs have been used in this sector to avail information and to support different information based agricultural processes in what is called electronic agriculture. Despite the use of ICTs, access to agricultural advisory information in a developing economy like Uganda’s remains problematic. This state of affairs is attributed to inadequate management of agricultural advisory information in e-agriculture. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a framework for supporting management of agricultural advisory information for small scale farmers engaged in growing of crops aided by ICTs in Uganda’s developing economy. The Design Science research method was used to guide the development of this framework. The framework presented in this work was based on a field study using 386 respondents from Uganda’s districts of Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Namayingo, Masaka, Wakiso, Mbarara and Ntungamo. Structural equation modeling was used in the design of the framework. The results show that the critical success factors for management of agricultural advisory information are: People and Technology; Funding, Processes, and Regulations; and Information use outcomes and continuity. The framework is composed of the above factors with People and Technology; Funding, Processes, and Regulations; influencing Information use outcomes and continuity. The framework was evaluated by seeking expert opinion and using a prototype in form of a web-based platform. In conclusion, the findings indicate that the framework is suitable for supporting the management of agricultural advisory information based on the parameters of goal, environment, structure, activity and evolution. It is suggested that the framework be used based on practical suggestions provided on each sub factor of the framework to aid policy makers in information management in e-agriculture support the agricultural advisory information management practices. Overall, the framework can be used to inform the management of agricultural advisory information. The prototype developed is a foundation for automation of selected tasks in the management of information in e-agriculture in Uganda’s context.