Knowledge and Ability of Agricultural Extension Officers in Using Information Technology and Computer, Chiang Rai Agricultural Provincial Extension Office

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the knowledge and ability in using the information technology and computer, personal factors of agricultural extension officers that have a relationship with knowledge and ability in using the information technology and computer as well as problem and recommendation for using the information technology and computer of agricultural extension officers in Chiang Rai. The samples were 1 director of Chiang Rai Provincial Agricultural Extension Office, 18 Chiefs of District Agricultural Extension Office and 73 agricultural extension officers.

From research finding, it was found that agricultural extension officers and chief of district agricultural extension office had high-level of knowledge in using the information technology and computer and a mid-level of ability in using the information technology and computer. The agricultural extension officers’ personal factors that were related to their knowledge and ability  in using the information technology and computer with statistical significance (Sig. < 0.5) were as follows; 1) gender related to the chief of District Agricultural Extension Office’s knowledge, 2) the period of working in a field of technology and computer related to the agricultural extension officers’ knowledge, 3) education and the period of working in a field of  technology and computer related to the chief of district agricultural extension office’s ability. From the study of the problems in using the information technology and computer of Chiang Rai Agricultural Provincial Extension Office, it was found that 1) the lack of specific knowledge in using the information technology and computer, for example, Photoshop program 2) the lack of personnel with specialized knowledge, and 3) the low-potential information technology and computer equipment.