S.R. Verma1* R. Sammauria2 and Deepa Indoria3
1(M&E), EEI, Nilokheri, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar
2RARI, Durgapura, SKN Agricultural University, Jobner (Rajasthan)
3(H.Sc.) KVK, Chittorgarh, MPUAT, Udaipur (Rajasthan)
Received-03.08.2020, Revised-31.08.2020
Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies are emerging as important tools for agricultural extension and it is now essential for every extension worker to have working knowledge of ICT tools and devices like computers, internet, mobile phone, kisan call center, information kiosks, e-mails, expert systems, touch screen systems, and World Wide Web. The present study was conducted in Udaipur district of Rajasthan. The state department of agriculture extension was purposively selected as a government organisation and eight NGOs working in agriculture with more use of ICTs were also selected from Udaipur district. To select a sample of respondents from the GO, 80 extension personnel were selected on the basis of random sampling technique. Likewise, 80 extension personnel from selected NGOs were taken on the basis of proportionate random sampling. Consequently, a total of 160 respondents (80 from GO & 80 from NGOs) were included in the sample of study. For the purpose of study five commonly used ICT tools namely computer, internet, mobile phone, kisan call centers and information kiosks were selected. It was noted that overall knowledge of respondents about computer, internet, mobile phone, kisan call center and information kiosk was 61.16, 57.22, 75.50, 58.45, and 45.82 per cent respectively. The knowledge of NGOs personnel was significantly higher than GO personnel about ICT tools.
Keywords: ICT, Extension personnel, Agriculture, knowledge, GO and NGO
ReferenceS
Adebayo, E.L. and Adesope, O.M. (2007). Awareness, access and usage of information and communication technologies between female researchers and extensionists.International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology 3(1): 85-93.
Hanumankar, R.H. (2011). Application of ICT in Agriculture Extension: An evaluation study of Kisan Call Centers (KCCs). A text book on information and communication technology for agriculture and rural development, edited by R. Saravanan, C. Kathiresan and T. Indra Devi. PP. 357-368.
Metthews, N., Edna, C. and Adesope, O.M. (2007). Effect of training in ICT on utilization among Extension management in the Niger delta area of Nigeria.Asian Journal of information Technology 6 (1): 34-37.
Ndag, I.R., Sanus, I.A.E. and Aigbekaen, O. (2008). Comparative analysis of information and communication technology use by agricultural extension workers in south-west and north-central Nigeria. In: Proceedings of the 19th annual international information management association organized from October 13 to 15. PP. 35-40.
Sharma, G.R.K. (2004). Internet communication among livestock farmers in Chittur district of Andra Pradesh.Ph.D Thesis submitted to Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, U.P., India.
Verma, S.R., Singh, N. and Sharma, F.L. (2009). Impact of mobile enabled information services on crop management: A case of IKSL (IFFCO Kisan Sanchar Limited). In: Proceeding of National seminar on ICT for agriculture and rural development organized at Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh from September 9 to11. PP. 91.
Verma, S.R., Bairwa, R.K., Sharma, F.L. and Indoriya, Deepa (2013). Impact of cell phone enabled information services in the knowledge upgradation of farmer about improved crop production techniques. Indian Journal of Extension Education and Rural Development. 21:159-164.