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Farmers’ Use of Ict Based Media in Receiving Agricultural Information: a Farm Level Study

M. H. Rahman
Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. J. Hoque
Professor
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

M. S. Osman
Ex-MS student
Department of Agricultural Extension Education, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The main purpose of the study was to determine the extent of use of ICT based media by the farmers in receiving agricultural information. Six types of ICT media and facilities were considered for the study. Data were obtained from a random sample of 150 farmers in three selected villages of Mymensingh, Tangail and Sherpur districts during September 2014 to February 2015. A pre-tested interview schedule was used for collection of data. Appropriate scales were developed and used in order to measure the concerned variables. Correlation test was used to ascertain the relationships between the concerned variables. More than one third (37.3 percent) of the farmers were found to use mobile phones for receiving agricultural information, while 21.3 percent used internet facilities provided by Agricultural Information and Communication Centers (AICC), a community based ICT hub established by the Ministry of Agriculture. Only 2 percent farmers were found having use of smart phone. Farmers' characteristics such as education, training received on ICT, knowledge on ICT had a significant positive relationship with the extent of use of ICT based media by the farmers, while age and constraints in using ICT had a negative relationship with their extent of ICT based media use.

Keywords: Farmers’ use of ICT, AICC, AIS, Cell phone, Smart phone

Location: Villages of Mymensingh, Tangail and Sherpur districts of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-09-2014

End Date: 00-02-2015

Program Area: Knowledge Management

Commodity: Information service, Mass media

Objectives:

The present paper focuses on the following specific objectives: (i) determining the nature and extent of use of different ICT based media by the farmers for receiving agricultural information; (ii) describing socio-economic characteristics of the internet and mobile phone user farmers; and (iii) identifying factors affecting effective utilization of ICT based media by the farmers and associated challenges.

Methodology:

Study area, population and sample: The study was conducted in three selected upazilas under three districts in greater Mymensingh region. The upazilas were to be selected on the basis of availability of active AICC (Agricultural Information and Communication Centre) at village level. In consultation with the concerned officers (Upazila Agriculture Officer and SubAssistant Agriculture Officers), Muktagachha Upazila under Mymensingh, Nakla Upazila under Sherpur and Dhanbari Upazila under Tangail district were finally selected. The population of the study included the farmers of the selected villages who were users of ICTs and members of ICM clubs that were hosting AICCs. Therefore, three ICM clubs (one from each Upazila) were selected for data collection. All members of the concerned ICM club and their neighbouring farmers were the target population of the study. An update list of farmers who were active members of different AICCs in the selected villages of the study area was prepared with the help of the secretaries of the AICCs. As there were 50 members in an AICC, the list of farmers comprised of 150 farmers. At the same time, list of 150 neighbouring farmers were also prepared and these farmers were not among AICC members, but active user of mobile phones and other ICT devices. Therefore, sample size was determined from a list of 300 farmers. Fifty percent farmers from the list were selected as the sample of the study. Therefore, the sample size for data collection stood to 150 farmers.

The Research Instrument: Four methods were used in the process of finalizing data collection instruments. These were face-toface interview by using personal interview schedule (questionnaire), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), key-informant interview (KII) and consultation with experts. A structured questionnaire (personal interview schedule) was prepared on the basis of information gained from the FGD, KII and consultations. Two FGDs were conducted with two groups of AICC members in Nakla and Muktagachha, while KIIs were conducted with the concerned SAAOs and UAOs. Expert consultations were made with the concerned AIS officers responsible for maintaining AICCs. The questionnaire was prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. Necessary scales have been developed to determine different variables. The questionnaire was pre-tested with 20 farmers in the study area and necessary modifications were done before its finalization.

Data collection, processing and analysis: Data were collected by a trained enumerator from the selected farmers. The interviews were conducted with the respondents individually in their respective houses or farms. No serious difficulty was faced by the interviewer during the collecting of data. Data collection, processing and analysis: Data were collected by a trained enumerator from the selected farmers. The interviews were conducted with the respondents individually in their respective houses or farms. No serious difficulty was faced by the interviewer during the collecting of data.

Source of Information: Bangladesh Journal of Extension Education Volume 27, No. 1&2, 2015: 41-49 ISSN 1011-3916

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The findings of the research revealed that out of six selected ICT-based information media, farmers used only three types of media, namely cell phone, internet through AICC and internet through smart phone. Interesting information is the farmers were not using any other forms of ICT based services and facilities. It is therefore concluded that appropriate programmes should be undertaken by the appropriate authorities (DAE, DLS, DoF and AIS) to inform farmers about availability of ICT based sources and popularize them. Secondly, it was revealed that good prospects are available for make the farmers using ICT based media. At the same time, situational and policy factors like the government?s Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021, growing infrastructure for internet related services, message credibility, demand-driven information, availability of electricity and cost-effectiveness should be properly addressed by both the government and mainstream extension agencies of the country. Moreover, more training and awareness-building programmes should be undertaken by the extension agencies to make farmers using ICT based media in receiving information. Availability of ICT facilities is crucial for achieving the purpose. Therefore, more policy support along with infrastructure facilities should be created for promotion of ICTs for the farming communities of the country. The major challenges of using ICT based media were willingness to pay for use ICTs, technical know-how of the farmers, bandwidth speed, uninterrupted supply of electricity, and farmers awareness on the availability of services. Appropriate steps should be taken to meet these challenges widening the scope of use of ICTs by the farmers of the country.

Knowledge Management: Journal