Development of Information and Communication Technologies: The Impact at Farmer Level A.-E. Lévêque a, T.G. Kelly b, Y. Michelin c a Teagasc / Ecole Nationale d Ingénieur des Techniques Agricole Rural development-, 63370 Lempdes, leveque.ae@orange.fr b Teagasc Program Manager, Farm Management and Technology Services, Kildalton College, tom.kelly@teagasc.ie c Professor, Ecole Nationale d Ingénieur des Techniques Agricole, 63370 Lempdes, michelin@enitac.fr Abstract In a world where globalisation is getting stronger and stronger, Irish agricultural stakeholders have to adapt to the new market situations through efficiency and competitiveness. The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), its adoption and management within the agricultural sector is a major opportunity to adapt to the current challenge and to embrace the Information Revolution. Teagasc is the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority. It is an organisation dealing with information IN and OUT and supporting farmers in their decisions. Teagasc needs to be at the forefront of this Revolution. The aim of this study was to examine the current ICT usage among Irish farmers and how they may use technology to make better decisions in the future. It was found that the most profitable farmers, mainly dairy farmers are more involved in ICT use than less profitable farmers, mainly cattle farmers. Given the benefits of getting involved in ICT, risks of not, and taking into account Irish regional differences, a growing Digital Divide was identified. The use of ICT by farmers reflected a view of the Internet as a source of information more than a supply of products and knowledge exchange. In addition, expectations from farmers showed interest in getting more and more information more easily and quickly. Their interest in developing ICT as a support to exchange information seemed less important. They were happy enough with existing efficient and easier ways to exchange information (phone, travelling to agency, text message). In this context, Teagasc seemed to have the opportunity to play a major role in the management of information available, in the co-operation and co-ordination between agricultural stakeholders. Teagasc should manage information available and provide stakeholders with easy and fast access to relevant information. Key words: Globalisation, Information and Communication Technology, Digital Divide. 1 Introduction The Irish agricultural sector as well as other economic sectors is involved in the Information Revolution. In attempting to find ways to keep farmers adapted, to support them in embracing a changing environment, Teagasc, the Agricultural Irish State Agency, was interested in assessing the impacts of ICT development in Irish agriculture, at farmer level in this case. Over the years, the meaning of ICT has evolved. In this study we will consider as ICT, the Internet, online services and computerising tools because of their nest function. Teagasc needed to understand more about the current use of ICT among Irish farmers and about a target user group before engaging any further development work. Accepting that ICT is an unstoppable stream, the subject of interest was to know what could be done to involve more farmers in the network.
2 Methodology 2.1 Profile of farmer and use of Personal Computer (PC) Data from the National Farm Survey 2004 concerning the use of computer by farmers were analysed. It was assumed that farmers more involved in computer use would be or will be more involved in Internet use. The NFS data concerned were collected on site by way of supplementary survey. There were 1010 farmers included in the analysis and representing 105,524 farms nationally. The questions they were asked were: - Farm Office Duties: Total hours per week that you or other family members spend on farm records (include all hours spent at herd register, farm accounts, farm post etc): <1h/w; 1-2h/w; 2-5h/w; >5h/w. - Do you own a Personal Computer (PC)? Yes; No - If yes, is Computer used for? Any farm use; Family entertainment; Online transaction; Other - If computer used for farm, do you use a computer for any of the following in the farm business? Herd Register, Farm Accounts, VAT records, Individual cow records, Fertiliser applications, Farm communication and information (Internet). - Have you purchased anything online? If yes, Flights/Holidays/Tickets to shows; Books/Toys/Household goods, Farm inputs and services. The farms were distinguished regarding their use of PC (farm business, personal use, no PC owned), their system of production (farming system, Utilised Agricultural Area -UAA-, total labour force, Gross Output -GO-, Family Farm Income -FFI-) and external factors (Time spent on administrative burdens, Off-Farm job, age of farm holder). 2.2 Irish farmers and advisers expectations about the Internet development A short survey has been conducted during the Agri-food Event. 101 farm households have been surveyed by 2 surveyors. The questionnaire was organised as follow: Global information: main farming activities, age, farm size, off-farm-job. Your expectations in Internet use in your farm business: - Internet access in your farm/home? - Your Internet access is mainly used for: Personal use; Business use - In which one of these following activities does Internet use help you in fulfilling your business expectations? To buy input or sell farm products; to seek information (weather ); to communicate with other farmers (e-mail, forum ); to examine your own information (e-services, ICBF, e-profit monitor ) - What does Internet use in farm business mean to you? Saving money; Saving time, Having fun; quality of family life; Making better decision by myself; Just another farm tool; An irrelevant invention. The advisory services: - Would you be interested in IT training? - If you are a Teagasc client: In the last 3 months have you got relevant information through the website - In the last 3 months have you used the web site for on-line services (calculators, profit monitor ) - In the last 3 months have you used e-mail to communicate with your advisor? - Would you be interested in joining a web forum? The use of the Internet had also been the focus of discussion among four groups of 12 Dairy farmers. Seven Dairy advisors have also been surveyed by phone about their expectations in the Internet development. The dairy sector was focused on as it appeared through the previous analysis that this sector is the most involved in ICT use and by the way is more aware of development needed or area of interest to work on.
3 The Digital Divide 3.1 Profile of farmers regarding their involvement in ICT Only 42% of all Irish farmers owned a PC of which 15% used it for farming purposes. Irish agricultural sector lagged behind the USA, UK and France. Differences have also been established among Irish farmers. The bigger is the farm as a production base (UAA, labour force) or the higher the potential of production (GO) or economic efficiency (FFI), the more farmers tend to own a PC and to use it for farming purposes. The more time spent on administrative burdens, the more farmers were likely to use a PC for farming purposes. Farmers having an off-farm job were more likely to own a PC than farmers working only on their farm. Two groups of farms were particularly different. The dairy farmers were more likely to own and use a PC than the cattle farmers. 54% of dairy farmers owned a PC of which 26% used it for farming purposes, 55% of tillage farmers owned a PC of which 23% used it for farming purposes, 33% of cattle farmers owned a PC of which 9% used it for farming purposes. This trend was supported by the results from the survey conducted during the Agri-food event. An analysis of NFS 2004 was run among farming systems. Among each farming system, farms were ranked regarding their FFI. The divide between cattle and dairy farmers was well established. Indeed, among the highest quartile of cattle and sheep farms (in terms of FFI), 46% of farmers own a PC of which 13-14% used it for farming purposes. These are comparable with the shares observed among the lowest quartiles of tillage and dairy farms. The differences among farmers could be explained by different views of farm management by farmers. The use of a PC could be seen as a choice of efficient management tools that can support them in decision making. 3.2 Interest perceived by Irish farmers in getting involved in ICT: substitution comportment The discussion groups conducted among 5 groups totalling 48 dairy farmers revealed that the main interests perceived by the users was the access to their own data and the access to agricultural information. The use of the Internet as a communication tool or a way to exchange products is not even in their mindset. It was also noticed when analysing results from the survey conducted the 21 st of June 2006. The Internet fulfilled farmer expectations when they look for information and consult their own information whereas the use of the Internet to communicate with other professionals or to trade on-line was less usual. Among 57 farmers using the Internet in their farm business, 47 (82%) used it to seek information and 37 (65%) to consult their own data. 22 (39%) farmers used it to communicate with other farmers, 15 (26%) to communicate with customers/providers and 11 (19%) to trade on line. This interest in accessing their data or other agricultural information could be related to their interest in making better decisions by themselves. The share of farmers who had traded on line is really high comparing to the NFS data: 10% versus 1%. That may be explained by the fact that farmers coming to this agricultural event are more aware of any innovations. 3.3 A growing risk in Ireland A divide is growing regarding the access to relevant information. Indeed, advisors or public organisations are increasingly using e-mail and website to provide information. These ways are easier and cheaper to use. Two advisors surveyed said e-mailing information to farmers using the Internet while they did not post this extra information to the other farmers. Farmers not using these tools could then be considered at their growing disadvantage as they have not the same opportunity to access information. There was a Digital Divide across farmers regarding their production activity, their profitability, their view of management and their access and interest in Information. Dairy farmers tended to be involved in ICT use and they already tended to use PC as a communication tool which is another step towards better use of ICT. Considering that adoption of ICT is a gradual process, the new tools developed (forum, e- mail, e-trade) could exaggerate the gap between farmers. The trends highlighted and the Irish regional structure, lead us assume that if nothing is done, the Digital Divide highlighted among farming system will lead to a regional Digital Divide. The balanced development promoted by Irelands National Spatial Strategy won t be achieved in this scenario.
4 How embrace the future e-landscape? 4.1 How to involve farmers in ICT use? The interests of farmers in using the Internet, were to access more easily and quickly relevant information, to make better decision by themselves (37/57, 65% of farmers using the Internet in their business - Short survey Agri-event 2006), to save time (33/57, 58% of farmers using the Internet in their business - Short survey Agri-event 2006). It explained that they were expecting good technical tools, Broadband access, and good presentation of the information available: up to date information and easier access to information. A particular interest in a service to gather relevant websites, as it is done on Irish Farmer Journal website, was expressed during the discussion groups. They also needed to be more aware of the tools provided and about the ways to get value from them. The development of training in and marketing of ICT is needed to develop a new perception of the benefits from using the Internet. 30 farmers out of 70 farmers having an Internet connection (43% - Short survey Agri-event 2006) and 10 farmers out of 15 farmers expecting a connection (67% - Short survey Agrievent 2006) said they would be interested in following an IT training programme. However, some farmers were still not interesting in using the Internet for farm business, either it did not suit their work pattern or they did not see any benefit to justify the investment. Some alternative ways suit them better to get the information they need. The benefit of accessing relevant information and the view of the Internet as a farm management tool will have to be promoted. Accessing information through the Internet is not always perceived as a farming tool. Discussions groups gave to farmers the opportunity to exchange views about their use of the Internet as agricultural stakeholders as well as general Internet users. The development of personal use will act as a springboard to the use of ICT for farm business. 4.2 Management of cooperation: It is free for a leader! To develop and improve the structure of this network, a leading rural or agricultural organisation is necessary. As expressed by an adviser surveyed: Teagasc is in the business of transmission of information. Teagasc provides relevant information and services. The Internet development is an innovative tool to reach new clients and the usual targets. However, tools provided by Teagasc (advisor e- mail, client website) were under used: 20 Teagasc clients out of 46 farmers using the Internet for farming purposes (43%) found relevant information on Teagasc website during these last three months, 18/46 (39%) used on-line services (calculator, e-profit monitor), 6/46 (13%) used e-mail to communicate with their advisor. Teagasc as a rural and agricultural organisation is in the best situation to deliver this cooperation role between agricultural and rural stakeholders (from farmers and rural dwellers to national and European organisations). Indeed, Teagasc is already an intermediary between farmers and specialised services (researchers, environmentalist, scheme administration, etc.). The challenge is to re-develop an e-network parallel to the current human network. To manage the organisation of information and knowledge, the development of a new agri-portal could match these requirements. 4.3 A public and social concern: Public incentives, supports Broadband coverage in rural areas is obviously a subject of concern across all agricultural borders. The equality across Irish citizens from urban or rural areas will have to be the object of public policy and planning. Integration of farmers and rural dwellers in this e-network would be a necessity to face the lack of activity and dynamism in remote areas. More projects around ICT development should be supported.
5 Conclusion Nowadays, through the information superhighway, the exchange of products, information, and knowledge between countries, only takes the time of a mouse click. ICT development is increasing the importance of being competitive and efficient in every economic sector. In Ireland, the perception of ICT interest among farmers has currently just started and has been slower than expected. Only 4,500 Teagasc clients use the Teagasc website (NFS 2004) and only 5,000 farmers used Kingswood or Agrinet products (discussion with an Agrinet representant, 2006). This study showed that the most profitable farmers, mainly Dairy farmers are more involved in ICT use than less profitable farmers, mainly cattle farmers. Knowing the benefits of being involved in the network and the risks in not, and taking into account Irish regional structure, a growing Digital Divide was highlighted in Ireland. The use of the Internet by farmers reflected a view of this tool as a source of information more than a supply of products or knowledge exchange. Indeed, the key objective of the use of ICT among farmers was the access to information, to make better decision. Some farmers expected an easier, handier access to relevant information whereas some other farmers outlined a lack of skills, knowledge or merely information to perceive any value in ICT use. Their interest in developing ICT as a support for exchange of information seemed less important. They were happy enough with existing ways to exchange information. To face the Digital Divide, the need of the different farmers will have to be considered; a wider approach around the use of ICT could be developed (rural community approach, shopping online ). Consideration of the needs and skills for every agricultural stakeholder (from rural associations to Government), cooperation between them will lead to a dynamic agricultural sector. Every stakeholder willing to embrace the evolving changes will have to develop a system to take advantage from this new context. Teagasc strategy (Intranet development, services online development) reflects a willingness to develop ICT use inside the organisation and as a way of working with farmers. Teagasc wants and needs to be at the forefront of the Information Revolution. In this context, Teagasc seemed have the opportunity to play a major role in the management of the information available, in the cooperation and coordination between agricultural stakeholders. Teagasc should manage information available so as to provide easy and quick access to relevant information and provide leadership. Considering the impact of education, age and familial context on ICT use, even if the usage of communication opportunities are not so well developed up to now, we can expect a greater motivation in getting involved in the networks arising from a new generation of younger well trained farmers. The new generations will benefit from the current network building as we benefit from road and rail networks built in previous generations.