Course

Syllabus

Practical

Introduction to Digital Agriculture, Digital Extension and ICT-enabled Advisory Systems; Identification and use of digital communication tools for agricultural extension; Preparation of digital farmer database using spreadsheets and cloud platforms; Designing extension messages using effective communication principles; Preparation of agricultural posters using Canva or similar graphic design software; Development of agricultural infographics for farmer awareness; Preparation of digital leaflets, brochures and fact sheets; Writing agricultural news reports and farmer success stories for digital media; Preparation of blog articles on agricultural technologies; Script writing for agricultural awareness videos; Recording agricultural educational videos using smartphones and digital cameras; Video editing using open-source editing software; Preparation of short educational reels for social media platforms; Voice recording techniques for agricultural podcasts; Editing agricultural audio programmes and podcasts; Development of community radio programme scripts for agricultural extension; Preparation of narrated PowerPoint presentations for farmer training programmes; Designing educational animations using online animation tools; Creating QR code-enabled extension publications and digital learning resources; Development of WhatsApp-based agricultural advisory messages; Creating Telegram and other social media groups for farmer communication; Preparation of Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and YouTube agricultural awareness campaigns; Preparation of a seasonal social media content calendar for crop advisory; Fact-checking agricultural information and identifying misinformation in digital media; Hands-on use of agricultural mobile applications such as Kisan Suvidha, Meghdoot, Damini, e-NAM and other digital advisory platforms; Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for generating agricultural communication content and translation into regional languages; Preparation of weather-based crop advisory bulletins; Preparation of pest and disease surveillance advisory messages; Development of market intelligence and price advisory messages; Introduction to GPS, GIS and digital maps for agricultural advisory communication; Digital photography techniques for crop diagnosis and extension publications; Evaluation of digital communication effectiveness using social media analytics and engagement metrics; Group project on designing and producing an integrated digital extension campaign for a selected crop; Presentation, demonstration and evaluation of a comprehensive digital agricultural media portfolio comprising an infographic, extension publication, advisory bulletin, podcast, educational video, social media campaign and multimedia communication outputs.

Objectives

1. Understand the principles of digital agricultural communication and ICT-enabled extension services.

2. Develop farmer-oriented digital communication materials using text, graphics, audio and video.

3. Produce agricultural multimedia content suitable for social media and digital advisory platforms.

4. Utilize mobile applications, AI tools and digital advisory systems for farm communication.

5. Design digital extension campaigns for technology dissemination and behavioural change.

6. Enhance employability and entrepreneurship skills in agricultural media, agri-content creation and digital extension.

Course Outcome:

Any student who has undergone the course shall be able to:

Suggested Readings

1. Davis, K., & Sulaiman, R. (2014). The new extensionist: Roles, strategies and capacities to strengthen extension and advisory services. Global Forum for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS).
2. Fleming, C., Hemmingway, E., & Moore, G. (2006). An introduction to journalism. Sage Publications.
3. Gunelius, S. (2011). 30-minute social media marketing. McGraw-Hill.
4. ICAR. (2024). Handbook of agriculture (7th ed.). Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA).
5. Kamath, M. V. (2009). Professional journalism. Vikas Publishing House.
6. Kerpen, D. (2019). Likeable social media (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
7. Kotler, P., Kartajaya, H., & Setiawan, I. (2021). Marketing 5.0: Technology for humanity. Wiley.
8. Meera, S. N., Jhamtani, A., & Rao, D. U. M. (2004). Information and communication technology in agricultural development: A comparative analysis of three projects from India. Agricultural Research & Extension Network, Overseas Development Institute.
9. Narula, U. (2019). Handbook of mass communication: Theory and practice. Har-Anand Publications.
10. Oakley, P., & Garforth, C. (1985). Guide to extension training. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
11. Philip, H., Radhakrishnan, T., & Theodore, R. K. (2012). Extension management in the information age: Initiatives and impacts. New India Publishing Agency.
12. Ray, G. L., & Mondal, S. (2017). Research methods in social sciences and extension education. Kalyani Publishers.
13. Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
14. Shrivastava, K. M. (2015). News reporting and editing. Sterling Publishers.
15. Van den Ban, A. W., & Hawkins, H. S. (1996). Agricultural extension (2nd ed.). Blackwell Science.