The purpose of the training was to enable Kebele DAs to effectively use computer tablets to assist them in providing agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (EAS). The training is part of CDSF’s effort to pilot the use of computer tablets in agricultural extension work in Ethiopia. To this end, CDSF purchased and 100 computer tablets and distributed to participating DAs in the pilot areas.

CDSF’s work introducing computer tablets in selected pilot areas is clearly in line with the 2017 Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources (MoANR) Extension Strategy which recommended enhancing agricultural knowledge and information system through ICT-led extension service delivery. It is expected that the CDSF pilot project promotion of computer tablets will enhance access to knowledge and information exchange and utilization among beneficiaries
Bitsay Araya is one of the DAs from Tigray Region, Raya Azebo Woreda, Genete Keble. Bitsay had the following to say about the training,
“We have been entrusted with a lot of responsibilities in our agricultural extension work. We frequently communicate with a number of farmers face-to-face. We report to our woredas offices in writing regularly and that makes our work a bit too tedious and sometimes ineffective. What is more, not all farmers heed our advices as most of our advices are done orally. To be honest, most of the time we fail to prove to farmers that our recommendations are highly reliable and effective as we don’t have enough reference materials that would have helped us to keep abreast with the latest information and knowledge in the area.”
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