This study investigates the online media exposure behaviors of elderly farmers in Chainat Province, Thailand, and utilizes these insights to develop a Learning and Innovation Platform (LIP) aimed at bridging the digital divide. Facing challenges from an aging agricultural society and low digital literacy, a survey of 355 elderly farmers revealed their most frequently used platforms and peak online usage times. Leveraging these findings, the research employed a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach to design a hybrid LIP, integrating physical learning centers with online modules tailored to the elderly's media habits. The platform was used to train 50 community innovators and 482 elderly farmers in adopting IoT-based hydro-organic smart farming technology. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in digital skills among the participants, enabling them to confidently control farm environments via smartphones. Consequently, the adoption of this technology led to a 15.63% average increase in income, reduced physical labor, and minimized health risks from chemical exposure. Ultimately, the customized LIP not only successfully facilitated technology adoption but also empowered elderly farmers, proving to be an effective model for bridging the digital divide and sustainably uplifting the grassroots economy.

Authors:
Pichit Thi-in, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Thailand
Eakbodin Gedkhaw, Chandrakaseam Rajabhat University, Thailand
Nantinee Soodtoetong, Chandrakaseam Rajabhat University, Thailand

About the Presenter(s)
Assistant Professor Pichit Thi-in, Ph.D. is currently a lecturer of Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Faculty of Management Sciences (Communication Arts),Thailand.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pichit-thi-in-643b14311/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Pichit-Thi-In

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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