ARI REVIEW FOR 2016-2017

RURAL DEVELOPMENT The Rural Development Section of the Agricultural Research Institute conducts research aiming towards the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Cyprus and the improvement of the quality of life of Cypriot farmers. The activities of the Section encompass topics related to agricultural economics, marketing and trade, as well as work on precision agriculture which includes topics on applications of information and communication technologies, remote sensing and robotics in agriculture. The Section is also actively involved in EU funded projects. Finally, the Section collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and undertakes targeted studies and technical reports on agricultural economics, trade and policy, supporting decision-making. COMPUTER SCIENCE Computers in agriculture - Information sharing The research project “Information Society in Rural Areas: Knowledge Sharing Using Information and Communication Technology” (http://ruraldev.ari.gov.cy ) continues the study of current practices related to agricultural research information sharing and new opportunities that emerge by exploiting Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ( G. Adamides, A. Stylianou ) Exploring the potential of developing an e-learning platform for farmers within the framework of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 The main goal of this study was to explore the views and perceptions of Cypriot farmers and Extension Service personnel, with respect to the possibility of developing an e-learning platform for farmers. To achieve this goal, quantitative and qualitative research methods were concurrently applied (mixed methods approach). In the context of the former, a random sample of 383 farmers was used (Fig. 1), whilst for the latter seven focus groups were held with the total participation of 61 agricultural extension officers. Quantitative research results showed that 36% of the farmers are aware of the concepts of e-learning and e-platform, but only 14% have ever used in the past an e-learning platform. Nevertheless, 67% of the respondents stated that they are willing to use an e-learning platform for farmers, while around half of them exhibit a moderate to high potential capability to use such a platform. Moreover, younger and more educated farmers have higher potential capability and are more likely to be aware of the concepts of e-learning and e-platform. Also, they are more likely to have used an e-learning platform in the past and are more willing to use an e-learning platform designed for farmers. Importantly, none of the farmers of the mountainous areas have ever used in the past an e-platform and they are also the least willing to use an e-learning platform for farmers (Table 1). In addition, the most important training methods for farmers are the asynchronous rather than the synchronous, while the most important thematic unit is plant protection. Qualitative research, through the thematic coding analysis of focus groups, revealed that participants welcome the development of an e-learning platform, however, they maintain some hesitations mainly due to internal structural weaknesses and delay in the adoption of new information technologies by farmers. The results of quantitative and qualitative research were in general consistent and complementary, indicating the dynamics of mixed methods approach. This study recommended the gradual development of the e-learning platform as a complementary tool for agricultural extension. ( A. Stylianou, G. Adamides ) 63 Rural Development