2013 Volume 22 Issue 3 Pages 183-192
Tablet devices, such as Apple’s iPad, began to appear in 2010. These types of devices are quite portable and more suited to outdoor use than PCs. They feature touch screens and an intuitive operating system and are therefore easy to use. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of iPads on farms for both farming and extension and promotion activities. We took tablets and demonstrated to farmers during our activities . We then conducted a questionnaire survey and analyzed the results in terms of agricultural extension and promotion activities in JA Taisetsu; one of the group of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives in Hokkaido. Both farmers and agricultural advisors generally had a favorable view of activities that utilized the iPad; 67% of the respondents replied that it was easier to understand materials presented on the tablet as compared with conventional methods. The biggest advantage identified was the ability to immediately display the latest data and images for farmers during extension and promotion activities. There appear to be sufficient benefits to justify the introduction of tablet devices on farms across Japan.
