DEVELOPING PROTOTYPE AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR KNOWLEDGE SHARING AMONG ACTORS AT ENEBSIE SAR MIDIR DISTRICT AGRICULTURE OFFICE, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The objective of this study was to create prototype agricultural knowledge management systems allowing actors in the Enebsie Sar Midir District Agricultural Office to share knowledge. An observation checklist, questionnaire, and interview were utilized to gather data from a sample group of 191 actors, which included 39 district level experts, 15 support staff, 37 farmers, 90 Development Agents, and 10 visitors. A cross-sectional research methodology was used for the study. Both purposeful and random samplings were used in the sampling process. For the district-level agricultural experts and support staff, purposive sampling was used; however, guests were chosen at random, while DAs and farmers were chosen using simple random selection. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. The study's findings showed that tools including mobile phones, desktop computers, and social networks were used for the management and exchange of agricultural knowledge. Although there were farmers training centers, no knowledge management systems were in place. There were discrepancies amongst actors in terms of the resources for agricultural knowledge that were available. The workplace did not connect the accessible resources, such as mobile and office phones, laptops, and social networks to a knowledge management and sharing system for sharing reasons. One of the elements impacting the sample respondents' knowledge management and sharing was their background. Other factors included capacity development and office procedures for managing agricultural knowledge. The provision of training opportunities for all age groups and educational levels was deemed vital by the sample respondents. Nevertheless, the office lacked a knowledge management system, which caused a high level of knowledge loss. Knowledge silos, a lack of alternative knowledge management methods, and lack of centrally managed documentation systems were all factors that exacerbated the knowledge loss. There were many ways to manage knowledge using mobile devices.Communications may be made and the website could be accessed using a mobile device. All places in the study district could have internet connection via mobile devices acting as hotspots. Computer systems could be used to mobilize, manage, and exchange agricultural knowledge resources. Offline access to knowledge was possible by the created agricultural knowledge management system. On the other hand, the website's dynamic nature allowed for regular communications, the mobilization of resources, and the storage of information. Thus, employing the existing knowledge management resources, such as desktop computers, was a useful strategy for managing and sharing knowledge.The developed systems could be applied at the farmers' training centers for knowledge exchange, where it would be possible to execute group actions and share resources like information and communication technology. The use of information and communication technologies facilitated the participation and decision making of of all actors in knowledge management and sharing activities. The developed systems could leverage multimedia information and knowledge supplies, availing local content for numerous participants that include farmers. The website and the prototype knowledge management system might both be used by the Enebsie Sar Midir District Agricultural Office to carry out its functions, such as communicating, sending, and sharing knowledge or information among its actors. The evaluation results indicated that system users highlyagreed and agreed with the performance and acceptability level of the website and agricultural knowledge management sy stem respectively. Nonetheless, for the implementation of website, the office must set up the required information and communication technology infrastructure, obtain an internet protocol address, and offer computer literacy training to farmers and other actors.