Digital Communication for Agricultural and Rural Development: Participatory Practices in a Post-COVID Age

This volume presents insights on the challenges of digital communication and participation in agricultural and rural development. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that digital technology and mediated participation is more important and essential in managing ongoing communication for development projects than ever before. However, it has also underscored the various challenges and gaps in knowledge with digital participatory practices, including the further exclusion of marginalized groups and those with limited access to digital technology. The book considers how the concept of participation has been transformed by the realities of the pandemic, reflecting on essential principles and practical considerations of communication for development and social change, particularly in the context of global agriculture and food security, the well-being of rural communities, and evolving environmental challenges, such as climate change. In gathering these insights, this volume highlights lessons for the future of participatory development in communication for development and social change processes. This volume will be of great interest to students and scholars of agricultural and rural development, communication for development, digital communication, and sustainable development more broadly.

Ataharul Chowdhury is an Associate Professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph and the President of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education. He has led various collaborative projects with national, regional, and international partners to facilitate sustainable agriculture and rural development in remote and resource-poor communities. His research focuses on topics like agricultural advisory services and knowledge mobilization, climate change, communication and innovation studies, digital development, technology adoption, and misinformation.

Gordon A. Gow is Director of the Media and Technology Studies unit at the University of Alberta, where he is cross-appointed with the Department of Sociology. He has led various collaborative research projects in digital leadership and literacy with community-engaged projects, including a technology stewardship initiative with Canadian and international partners.