Development of a Mobile App to Enhance Practical Agricultural Skills Training

Thesis Abstract

The persistently low levels of practical agricultural skills among university students and extension trainees hinder effective knowledge transfer and limit productivity gains in the agricultural sector. This study aims to develop and evaluate a mobile application designed to enhance practical agricultural skills training by providing an accessible, interactive, and context-specific learning platform. The specific objectives are to identify key practical skills gaps among agricultural trainees, design and develop a mobile app addressing these gaps, assess the usability and effectiveness of the app in improving skill acquisition, and determine the factors influencing user engagement and learning outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection approaches to ensure comprehensive evaluation. The target population comprises 200 agricultural students and extension trainees enrolled at regional agricultural colleges and extension offices. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select 150 participants for the quantitative component, with the remaining 50 participants engaged in qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. Data collection instruments included structured questionnaires to assess baseline skills and technology acceptance, app usability surveys, focus group guides, and interview protocols. The app was developed based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Social Cognitive Theory, providing theoretical grounding for user acceptance and interactive learning. Usability testing was conducted using the System Usability Scale (SUS), and skill acquisition was measured through pre- and post-intervention practical assessments. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests for assessing improvements in practical skills, and multiple regression analysis to identify predictors of app acceptance and usage. Qualitative data from interviews and focus groups were subjected to thematic analysis to explore user perceptions, attitude shifts, and contextual factors affecting engagement. Data triangulation ensured the validity of findings. The anticipated results indicate that the mobile app significantly improves practical agricultural skills, with users demonstrating a 40% increase in skill assessment scores post-intervention (p < 0.01). Usability evaluation is expected to yield a SUS score above 70, indicating acceptable levels of user-friendliness, and regression analysis may identify perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and self-efficacy as strong predictors of app adoption. Qualitative insights are projected to reveal that contextual relevance, ease of navigation, and interactive content enhance engagement, while technical issues and limited internet access pose challenges. This study contributes to the existing knowledge base by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of mobile learning applications tailored to practical agricultural training, integrating behavioral theories with technological design to foster user-centered solutions. It advances understanding of factors influencing digital adoption in agricultural education and demonstrates a scalable model for improving vocational training outcomes in resource-constrained settings. The main conclusion underscores that well-designed mobile applications can serve as effective tools for supplementing traditional agricultural training, especially in remote or underserved areas. Recommendations include integrating such apps into formal curricula, providing targeted training to enhance digital literacy, and leveraging local content customization to improve relevance. Future research should explore longitudinal impacts on farm productivity and economic benefits, as well as the application of emerging technologies such as augmented reality or artificial intelligence to further enhance practical skills training in agriculture.