Towards a Resilient Information System for Agriculture Extension Information Service: An Exploratory Study

Abstract: Although digital technologies are contributing to human development, several information systems (IS) interventions for development especially in developing countries do not perform as expected nor deliver anticipated outcomes at scale. This raises questions about how to develop and enhance resilient IS for development, an area that requires more research attention. A sound and systematic understanding of the mechanisms local communities apply to maintain resilience and the key transformation areas for a resilient IS development will help to improve the situation. This study addresses how stakeholders can ensure resilient information provision within the Agricultural Extension Information Service (AEIS) and identifies the challenges in designing resilient IS. Conceptually, the study draws from the IS resilience framework. Empirically, it draws from interview data collected from the AEIS provision practice in Ethiopia. The findings show the robustness, self-organization, learning, redundancy, rapidity, scale, diversity and equality mechanisms, the challenges and the key transformations required to advance the resilience of IS for AEIS. The study contributes to the conversation on the application of the IS resilience framework in analyzing local information provision practices as well as to practice highlighting the key transformation areas to improve the effectiveness and impact of AEIS.