Use of information and communication technologies by extension personnel to disseminate agricultural information
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Date
2017
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CCSHAU
Abstract
India has been experiencing major changes in agricultural extension system since the beginning of the
21st century. The reform included both demand and supply side measures. Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) has become a global tool often used by individuals, organizations, governments and
intergovernmental organizations for personal or official activities. Its application cut across all fields of human
endeavor like medicine, commerce, engineering, architecture, education, library services, and agriculture.
Information and communications technologies have been of great significance in the development agenda of most
countries due to their critical role in facilitating socio-economic development. Keeping above facts in mind the
study was conducted with following objectives: (i) To determine the availability and accessibility of ICTs among
the field functionaries, (ii) To assess the extent of use of Information Communication Technology by field
functionaries and (iii) To identify the constraints in use of ICTs by field functionaries to manage agricultural
information.
The present study was conducted in Hisar and Fatehabad districts of Haryana state. All Agricultural
Development Officers and Block Agricultural officers working in department of agriculture of selected districts
were personally interviewed with the help of pretested and structured interview schedule. The results shows that
majority of the respondents were middle age group (36-50 years), female respondents were few, the percentage of
agriculture graduates and post graduates was same (36.67 %), about one third of the respondents had less than 5
years job experience, majority of the respondents have not received trainings on ICT despite that majority of the
extension personnel had ICTs skills viz. use of internet, MS Word, data entry and power point, more than half of
the respondents had rural background, findings also indicated that job requirements for job commitment expressed
by the extension personnel were field visits, technical guidance to farmers, organizing field days, conducting
demonstrations and office work, the educational status and rural-urban background of the extension personnel
were significantly associated with the ICTs skills and job satisfaction, 55.6 per cent respondents had not access to
ICTs in their department. Majority of the respondents were aware about advantages of ICTs VIZ, time saving,
more outreach, easy to access and access to more information sources. A vast majority (90.00 %) of the
respondents evaluated ICT as positive tool for effective extension, more than half of the respondents were
competent enough to handle and use ICTs properly. The study further illustrates that majority of the extension
personnel used mobile phone to seek farmers’ participation and to deliver extension & advisory services, more
than 80.00 percent and about 60.00 per cent of the respondents used social media like Whats App and facebook for
extension activities respectively. Regarding constraints faced in use of ICT tools were less knowledge of farmers
about ICTs and lack of specialized trainings received on ICTs were very serious constraints followed by lack of
farmer’s interests in ICT tools, lack of ICT trainers and lack of ICT experience and skill. Loss of competitiveness,
loss of contact with timely information and loss of extension management efficiency were the major consequences
/concerns perceived by field functionaries for not using the ICTs presently or in near future.
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