The diffusion of innovations theory as a theoretical framework in Library and Information Science research

The paper reports on the findings of a study that investigated the diffusion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in communication of agricultural information among agricultural researchers and extension workers in Kenya. The study focused on the public agricultural sector and covered the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD). A survey research method, comprising a self-completed questionnaire and a structured interview schedule was utilized to gather data from the respondents who comprised of 159 agricultural researchers, 138 extension workers and 59 key informants. This was supplemented by observation and document review. It was found out that KARI and MoARD had adopted a wide variety of ICT tools and services in an effort to facilitate information sharing and exchange among agricultural researchers, extension workers, farmers and other actors involved in research and extension. These ranged from modern ICTs based on digital information and traditional ICTs based largely on analogue information waves. The ICT models adopted addressed the different kinds of information needs and communication problems encountered by agricultural researchers and extension workers. However, it was observed that despite the efforts to expand and modernize ICTs in the agricultural sector, its growth had been hampered by a number of constraints and challenges which require the intervention and interaction of all the stakeholders in the agricultural and ICT sector and also involvement of the government.