Planning for Efficiency of Agricultural Extension in the Digital Age

디지털 시대 농촌지도 방법의 효율화 방안;지도매체로서의 인터넷 방송의 활용 구상을 중심으로

Agricultural extension services in Korea need to build new extension system to cope with the digital age and especially with shortage of extension educators which has been originated from the changing status from central to local government. The new trends including development of multi-media, wide-spreading of internet, and advent of internet broadcasting are offering the opportunities for new agricultural extension service. Utilization of agricultural internet broadcasting could be a new alternative for enhancing the efficiency of agricultural extension services. Agricultural internet broadcasting could support decision making of farmers by forwarding unique agricultural data which have been collected, compiled and processed by the Rural Development Administration. Farmers will be able to search useful agricultural data through agricultural internet broadcasting for more efficient farm management and marketing farm products. Agricultural internet broadcasting could utilize more prompt and abundant agricultural technology and management data compiled by the Rural Development Administration, and through this process, agricultural internet broadcasting could compensate the shortage of extension manpower. Through feedback process of agricultural internet broadcasting. farmers will be able to communicate more efficiently with extension educators to increase agricultural production and income. Agricultural Internet broadcasting could be an alternative to prevent farmers from being shunned in the information-based society.