Knowledge and use of digital technology of agricultural extension officers at sub-district level in Khon Kaen Province

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) investigate the knowledge and use of digital technology in the work of agricultural extension officers at the sub-district level; and 2) compare the digital technology knowledge of agricultural extension officers with different basic socioeconomic characteristics. Data was collected through online interviews with 125 agricultural extension officers at the sub-district level in Khon Kaen Province. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and t-tests and F-tests were used to analyze the difference in mean values. The results showed that most of the respondents were female (69.6%), with an average age of 38.7 (±6.477) years, a bachelor's degree (62.4%), a monthly income of 20,001-23,000 baht (39.2%), and work experience of 4-9 years (36.8%). Moreover, the majority (66.4%) had never received training/seminars on digital technology. The government provided only partial support for equipment and tools used for work. Most of them worked through mobile phones. The level of digital technology knowledge showed that most had a moderate level of digital technology knowledge (68.0%) and a high level of digital technology knowledge (26.4%). A comparison of the level of digital technology knowledge classified by gender, age, education level, monthly income, work experience, and experience in training/seminars on digital technology revealed that although the basic socioeconomic characteristics were different, there was no significant difference in the level of digital technology knowledge.