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ROLE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN DISSEMINATION

AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES ANALYSIS BASED ON THE SECONDARY DATA

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Volume 6, Issue 2 (XXXVI) ISSN 2394 - 7780
April - June 2019

International Journal of
Advance and Innovative Research

Indian Academicians and Researchers Association

www.iaraedu.com
International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (XXXVI): April - June, 2019

ROLE OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN DISSEMINATION

AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES ANALYSIS BASED ON THE SECONDARY DATA

Thatchinamoorthy C1, and Dr. J. Meenambigai2

Research Scholar and Assistant Professor2, Department of Agrl.Extn, Annamalai University
1

ABSTRACT
ICT Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy. India’s farmers live in rural areas and agriculture and
allied activities still constitute the largest share of India’s employment. It is estimated that 72 per cent farmers
do not have access to reliable sources of information and this prevents them from access credit and realizing
high crop productivity. The future of rural India is full of promise. It is estimated that 55 percent of India’s
rural population will have access to the internet by 2025. The average villager living in rural India already has
a basic awareness of the wonders of the World Wide Web and is willing to explore the internet to satisfy his
queries about the world and issues which impact his livelihood. Digital technology plays an important role in
bringing about significant changes in the way education skill, health and other public services. Digital literacy
is the ability of Individuals and communities to understand and use digital technologies. After 70 precious years
of its independence various digital platforms are now serving as information sources. Hence, this is a right time
to choose the suitable research paper for bringing out the “The Role of Information Communication
Technology in dissemination Agricultural technologies”. These research paper data collected from secondary
sources. This research methodology presents a description of secondary data analysis and suggests that thin
type of research methodology may be helpful in facilitating research by the social science studies. This paper
examined the attitude of the farmers about ICT tools, extent of utilization and multiple usages of ICT tools
among the farming community along with constraints they faced. Total 15 Thesis were selected from the
internet based on the attitude of the farmers about ICT tools and utilization of ICT tools among the farming
community. The findings of the study revealed that more than two-fifth (42.65 %) of the farmers had favorable
attitude towards ICT tools followed by 29.43 per cent had least favorable attitude and 27.92 per cent had most
favourable attitude towards ICT tools. Finding indicates that the majority of the respondents (43.55 %) percent
indicate medium extent of utilization of ICTs, followed by 24.73 percent high extent of utilization of ICTs. It is
evident from the data that 31.72 percent respondents showed low extent of utilization of ICTs. Major constraints
faced by farmers in using ICT tools were electricity, more time required to learn to use ICT tools, lack of
training centers, and lack of information in local language and time and frequency of broadcasting of
agricultural programmes were not convenient.
Keywords: Information and communication technology (ICT) tools, Attitude, Extent of utilization of ICT tools.

INTRODUCTION
Agriculture plays a vital role in India’s economy. India’s farmers live in rural areas and agriculture and allied
activities still constitute the largest share of India’s employment. It is estimated that 72 per cent farmers do not
have access to reliable sources of information and this prevents them from access credit and realizing high crop
productivity. The future of rural India is full of promise. It is estimated that 55 percent of India’s rural
population will have access to the internet by 2025. The average villager living in rural India already has a basic
awareness of the wonders of the World Wide Web and is willing to explore the internet to satisfy his queries
about the world and issues which impact his livelihood.
Information technology (IT) will bring new information services to rural areas which farmers as users, will have
much greater control than over current information channels. Even if every farmer does not have a computer
terminal, these could become readily available at local information resource centres, with computers carrying
expert systems to help farmers to make decisions. However, it will not make extension worker redundant.
Rather, they will be able to concentrate on tasks and services where human interaction is essential–in helping
farmers individually and in small groups to diagnose problems, to interpret data and to apply their meaning. The
packaging of research recommendation has to be done in more participative way with the help of information &
communication technology. The extension functionaries at district level could be taken in to confidence before
final packaging of the "Practices" or “Technologies” for each crop. The experiences and results of various trails
could also be indicated in the proposed package of practices. The extension functionaries may then keep the
concerned researchers informed on the field feedback electronically. This way the ICTs will help both- the
researchers and farming community to talk to each other on regular basis.
Today it is possible to find a solution to present problems of farmers by using the potential of information and
communication technologies to meet the location specific information needs of the farmers. The information
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ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (XXXVI): April - June, 2019

and communication networks are expanding very fast. The number of internet connections in India has crossed
the two million mark and the number of telephone connections is over 22 million. It is time to examine the
extent of its utility in farm sector.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This research methodology presents a description of secondary data analysis and suggests that thin type of
research methodology may be helpful in facilitating research by the social science studies. Secondary data
analysis is research involving the analysis of data previously gathered for other research work. Such data may
have been gathered earlier and then reexamined by the same researcher. This type of secondary data analysis is
seen frequently in social science and educational studies. The method may also be used to analyze data gathered
by other researchers. Polit and Hungler (1983) use this criterion in their definition of the method when they state
that the technique is "a form of research in which the data collected by one researcher are reanalyzed by another
investigator, usually to test new research hypotheses." Secondary data analysis enables beginning researchers to
utilize the data-collecting skill of more experienced and sophisticated researchers, both in social science and in
other disciplines, giving the data access to much larger amounts of data than they could easily or economically
acquire on their own.
This study about role of ICT in agricultural sector, there are several studies related with ICT and it is usage,
effectiveness but none of the researcher has done a study in secondary data base. Therefore, the researcher
wants to fulfill this particular Research Gap and hence the present research has been undertaken. Total 15
Thesis were selected from the internet based on the attitude of the farmers about ICT tools and utilization of
ICT tools among the farming community. This type of research analysis very useful to find out research gap in
particular research field and also we can assumption in future research area.
FINDING AND DISCUSSION
Agricultural information plays a crucial role in agricultural development as well as in improving the livelihoods
of farmers. The Information Communication Technology (ICT) had emerged as an important tool in extension
approaches to reach every farmer for development of agriculture development. The main findings of the study
have been presented in line with the objectives of the study. Thus keeping in view the aspects the present study
based on the Information Communication Technology in Agricultural had been planned with the following
specific objectives. To analyses the methods of ICT utilized by the respondents and the types of services
provided by the ICT such as the planning , production, post- harvest, and marketing related information ,
extension advice etc. and To find out the level of attitudes of the respondents on ICT application in agriculture
in the study area.
Table-1: Overview of the main findings of the result has been presented in line with the aims of the research.
Attitude of ICT tools % Extent of utilization of ICTs %
SI. No Least favorable Favorable Most favorable Low Medium High
1 31.67 40.83 27.50 30.83 35.00 34.17
2 32.10 41.30 26.60 29.40 48.30 22.30
3 31.33 43.60 25.07 25.60 38.10 36.30
4 51.70 30.00 18.30 72.22 16.12 11.66
5 20.00 65.00 15.00 21.70 58.30 20.00
6 28.36 51.96 19.68 35.00 37.14 27.86
7 18.50 43.00 38.50 27.55 51.20 21.25
8 22.00 28.00 50.00 21.90 58.60 19.50
9 20.00 62.86 17.14 29.37 56.25 14.38
10 21.25 51.20 27.55 15.00 70.00 15.00
11 39.70 34.63 25.67 54.72 16.10 29.18
12 40.00 27.00 33.00 26.60 37.30 36.10
13 25.00 35.00 40.00 21.50 64.60 13.90
14 30.65 44.60 24.75 34.36 39.24 26.40
15 29.24 40.77 29.99 30.00 27.00 43.00
Total 441.50 639.75 418.75 475.75 653.25 371.00
Mean 29.43 42.65 27.92 31.72 43.55 24.73
SD 9.14 11.41 9.43 14.30 16.50 9.55
*Source: Computed by the researchers from varied research sources
*SD- Standard Deviation
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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (XXXVI): April - June, 2019

Attitude of ICT tools

More than two-fifth (42.65%) of the farmers had favorable attitude towards ICT tools followed by 29.43 per
cent of the farmers had least favorable attitude and 27.92 per cent of the farmers had most favorable attitude
towards ICT tools. The results from pooled data indicated that nearly 77.02 per cent of the respondents agreed
that I like to use ICT tools, ICT tools provide global information 74.67%, ICT provides wider information
regarding agriculture 70.50%, ICT usage is socially, economically and culturally feasible 67.62%, usage of ICT
tools lead to modernization 77.02%, ICT tools will build social capital among farmers 71.02% and ICT tools are
only suitable to literate people 76.24%.
Table-2. Attitude of the respondents towards ICT tools (n=15)
S.No Category Per cent
1 Least favorable 29.43
2 Favorable 42.65
3 Most favorable 27.92
Total 100.00
Nearly 16 per cent of the reports disagreed that ICT provides wider information regarding agriculture, ICT
usage is socially and economically feasible (30.29%), use of ICT tools will build social capital among farmers
(28.98%), ICT tools are only suitable to literate people (21.93%), youth will have more access to ICT tools
(30.81%), without any assistance I can get information from ICT tools (49.61%) and ICT tools provide need
based information (29.24%).
Extent of utilization of ICT tools by respondents
Majority of the reports (43.55%) percent indicate medium extent of utilization of ICTs, followed by 24.73
percent high extent of utilization of ICTs. It is evident from the data that 31.72 percent respondents showed low
extent of utilization of ICTs.
Table-3: Extent of utilization of ICTs. (n=15)
S.No Category Per cent
1 Low 31.72
2 Medium 43.55
3 High 24.73
Total 100.00
It was observed from pooled data that utilization of messages of the aspect message provide the different
information about paddy production was found to be maximum as indicating the utilization index- 81.2 per cent
followed by message provide the information to protect the Paddy from infestation of insect and pest (utilization
index- 64.56%).
The results from pooled data indicated that the field right time of seed sowing of paddy had the highest
utilization index (71.39%), followed by land preparation of sowing of paddy (utilization index- 70.69%),
information related to insect and disease control in paddy crop (utilization index- 65.28%), use of manure in
paddy field (utilization index- 59.44%), information related to available selling rate of paddy in market
(utilization index- 52.08%), and information related to loan for paddy production (utilization index- 46.25%).
CONCLUSION
The agriculture information is vast, interdisciplinary and specific to different agro climatic zones and needs a
proper information dissemination system for its effective use. The study concludes that ICT is the core
inevitable solution for salvaging Indian agriculture from its problems .According to findings the farmers are
solving their basic need only through their traditional ICTs. Hence most o the respondents are yet to go in for
modern ICT usage. The reason being village’s lack of modern ICT infrastructures, further the farmers are still
bound to their conventional farming method despite these setbacks. It is encouraging to see the government
taking concrete steps to educate the farmer on modern ICTs. The concrete steps would definitely yield positives
result if the younger generation farmers learn the modern ICT and share with the senior farmer’s who in turn
also can share their experience with the young farmers. Thus their blending and sharing of modern ICT between
young and senior farmer could results in an effecter solution to our agricultural problems.
Farmers in the study area received agricultural information from a wide range of sources and channels. These
include district and block level agriculture offices, daily local language news papers, agri portals, television,
friends and relatives, helpline, farmers’ cooperatives, radio, private input agencies and dealers and mobile
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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (XXXVI): April - June, 2019

phones. People often relied on more than one source/channel for information. The private input dealers
especially seed, fertilizer and pesticide suppliers are major sources for information. Access to ICTs and the
ability to use them does not alter the relationship between the producers and sellers in the rural context. Farmers
are often forced to accept the price quoted by the private commission mandi/traders due to the perishable nature
of the produce, a lack of storage facilities, the inaccessibility of markets and other institutions. Also, in the study
area, the private commission mandi/traders are major creditors for smallholder farmers in the absence of rural
financial institutions. Hence in rural areas, private commission mandi/traders also act as a ready market to the
farmers. Despite the above barriers, the agriculture is bound to adopt and implement ICT, as the Government of
India aims to double the agricultural production, and to increase India’s share of the global export. This aim can
be achieved only when there is proper utilization of ICT and more investment in it. As ICT helps in information
dissemination in less time with effective ways of communication, its implications cannot be ignored by the
government and its scope and coverage should be extended as a whole rural areas in India.
The farmers had a clear and favourable perception of the relevance of ICTs in extension service delivery.
Farmers’ education level and income had a positive significant relationship with the number of ICTs farmers in
Tamil Nadu State had access to. It is therefore recommended that ICT education should be built into the
extension delivery package of extension agents to farmers particularly the use of the mobile phone since this is
capable of eliminating the series of wasteful trips to get at the extension workers and vice versa. Farmers should
be made to access ICT education through the agency of the farmers’ school program. Extension service delivery
should be stepped up in Tamil Nadu State to ensure that farmers increase their productivity, improve upon their
income generation and be able to access the ICTs.
REFERENCE
1. Anandaraja Nallusamy, R. Balasubramaniyam and Ramasamy Malarkodi, (2016), Utility of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) Tools by Agriculture students and research scholars of Tamil Nadu
Agricultural University (TNAU).International conference on Innovative Digital Applications for sustainable
Development P: 114 – 115.
2. Anonymous (2015a) Economy of India. Retrieved from https://www.idfcmf.com2Fgame,changersFwp
content2FuploadsFAgriculture Allied Activities Sector/GDP on 26.3.2015.
3. Madhankumar, M., (2013), Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization pattern by the
Extension Personnel of the State Department of Agriculture in Nagapattinam District, Unpublished
M.Sc. (Ag.) thesis, Annamalai University.
4. Oladele, O. I. (2015). Effect of Information Communication Technology on Agricultural Information Access
Among Researchers, Extension Agents, and Farmers in South Western Nigeria, Journal of Agricultural and
Food Information, Vol 12(2): 167- 176.
5. Smaranika Parida, (2010). Utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools by staff
and students in Universities in Dharward, Unpublished M.Sc. (Ag.) thesis, Dharwad University.

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