Locale of the study: The study was conducted in four villages namely Kadir Hanif and Noannai of Sadar upazila and Sharifpur and Kadirpur of Begumgonj upazila under Noakhali district of Bangladesh. These villages are situated in coastal areas and the farmers living there use comparatively contemporary methods of agriculture. Prior to the selection of these villages, a thorough discussion with the concerned GOs and NGOs personnel and local elites were conducted by the researcher in order to contact with targeted farmers. Most of the farmers in this area are smallholders whose livelihood depends on various farming activities. Their farming activities are being changed and affected due to shortage of information and communication systems. The coastal farmers are trying their level best in conducting various farm practices through using various technologies although modern technologies are insufficient there.
Population and sampling Nearly 150 coastal farmers live in each village. The population size was 600, out of which 20% were selected from four villages as sample. Thus the sample size was 120.
Population and sampling Nearly 150 coastal farmers live in each village. The population size was 600, out of which 20% were selected from four villages as sample. Thus the sample size was 120.
Selection and measurement of variables of the study Role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production perceived by the farmers were treated as a dependent variable while selected characteristics of the respondents were considered as the independent variables. With a view to measuring dependent variables a number of 12 statements like, save time, access to information, increase production, increase income, better management practices, access to market etc. were included. A 4- point Likert type scale such as strongly agree, moderately agree, somewhat agree, not at all agree was employed against the rating scale respectively. The score assigned the rating scale were 3,2,1 and 0 respectively. The perception score of the respondents ranged from 0-36. Based on perception score, the respondents were classified on the following categories.
Besides, A Farmers Perception Index (FPI) was calculated using the following formula to have an understanding of the relative proportion of the statements related to perception regarding the role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production of Bangladesh.
FPI= N1×3 +N2×2+N3×1+N4×0
Where,
FPI= Farmers Perception Index
N1= No. of respondents rated the role of ICTs as strongly agree,
N2= No. of respondents rated the role of ICTs as moderately agree,
N3= No. of respondents rated the role of ICTs as somewhat agree,
N4= No. of respondents rated the role of ICTs as not at all agree,
The FPI score ranged from 0-360, where 0 indicates low role while 360 indicates high role of ICTs as perceived by the coastal farmers in increasing agricultural production.
Data analysis The collected data were coded, categorized, tabulated and analyzed as per requirement. The local units were converted into standard units. The qualitative data were transferred into quantitative data by appropriate scoring techniques. The SPSS computer program was used for analyzing the data. Various descriptive statistical measures such as range, frequency, number, percentage, mean, standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV) were used for categorization and describing the variables. Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient (r) was utilized to identify the relationship between the selected characteristics of the respondents and their perception regarding the role of ICTs in increasing agricultural production.