Role of ICT in the agriculture sector : a study of progressive farmers, Malwa Regional, Punjab, India | |
| Author | Sangha, Amandeep Singh |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AB-10-04 |
| Subject(s) | Farmers--India--Punjab Information technology--India--Punjab |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AB-10-04 |
| Abstract | The role of information communication technology is very important in agriculture sector inorder to enhance its productivity. The research study discusses about the progressive farmers of Malwa region of Punjab state in India who are employing latest tools related to information technology in their daily agricultural practices. It was found out through questionnaire survey that the maximum number of farmer (71%) was involved in this occupation for than 16 years and the 74% were below age of 49 years. Only 33% of the farmers attained education upto graduation level. These facts reveal that most of farmers rely on their rich experience and agriculture knowledge in the farming practices. It was found out that 50% of farmers cultivate wheat and rice only and only 2 % are involved in fisheries. Four ICT tools namely mobile, television, radio and telephone were possessed by 90 % farmers. On ly 8.8% of respondents mostly involved in fisheries own CCTV. The usage of mobile was high among farmers with average weighted score of 3.33. This fact reveals that respondents use this ICT tool to get information from fellow farmers, scientists and check market rates. While on contrary mobile packages offered by Nokia and Reuters were not popular with average weighted score of only 0.71. The main reason for this low usage was unreliable and old information. The most preferred source of information was foun d out to be the local farm fairs (average weighted score of 3.64). In print and electronic media the Newspaper was popular source of information (average weighted score 3.57), followed by television (average weighted score 3.55). Ease of reading and availa bility of information related to farming in local dialect was cited as the main reason of popularity. ICT tools such as use CD’s, internet and helpline telephone numbers were found to be least preferred sources among the respondents. Internet usage had low score of 1.31 inspite of being the richest source of information. About 59 % of the respondents never used internet. This was due to lack training and education level of farmers. Respondents were not internet savvy and another major problem was the non- availability of data and website information in local dialect. Thus 81% of the respondents preferred to read farm journals, magazines and farm booklets which are easily available in local dialect. When asked about the importance of adoption of ICT in agricul ture, the respondents feel that traditional agriculture practices have to shift towards knowledge intensive agriculture.(average weighted score 1.46 out of 0 to 2 scale). The factors inhibiting adoption of ICT were found out to be lack of training (averag e score 1.91) and cost of equipment (average score 1.41 out of 0 to 2 scale). Inadequate infrastructure (average weighted score 1.67) was cited as reason for inhibiting growth. The research findings reveal that respondents desired the need of effective rol e of governments and private organizations. Respondents suggested the need of agriculture related dedicated television and radio broadcasting channels 24 X 7. Intensive training and frequent awareness of ICT tools such as internet and availability of fresh , real time data on help lines and mobile packages is required. |
| Year | 2010 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. AB-10-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agribusiness Management (AB) |
| Chairperson(s) | Rakshit, Sudip |
| Examination Committee(s) | Athapol Noomhorm;Anal, Anil Kumar;Tanikawa, Hiroki |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Am.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 |