The impact of ICT on farmers in terms of Livelihood A Case study on Purba Medinipur West Bengal

Abstract

Information and communication technologies (ICT) generally refer to an array of technologies that are used to spread information and aid communication. These include hardware, software, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information in any format (i.e., voice, text and data), computers, the Internet, email, telephone, radio, television, video, digital cameras etc. The advent of personal computers, the Internet and mobile telephone during the last two decades has provided a variety of methods for collection, storage, processing, transmission and presentation of information in various formats targeted at diversified strata of population.ICT is destined to bring in social and economic development by creating a conducive atmosphere. As we discuss, multiple activities in the current age is becoming somewhat dependent on the application of ICT in one way or the other. The benefits of ICT reach even those who do not themselves have first-hand access to them. An agricultural extension worker can learn improved methods of cultivation, can input on weather forecasts, get information on commodity prices, etc. and can use the same as an advice to the rural sectorFor the past few decades, telecommunication has been a key player over the world in transforming people lives in various visible formats. Starting from fixed lines, when the usage was restricted to urban areas only, telecommunication has moved to uncovered areas with the advent of mobile telephonyQuite a few countries as Bangladesh, where the initial infrastructure spending was a big road block w.r.t. fixed lines, has seen faster penetration with the mobile telephony. Other developing countries and specifically under developed regions of Africa has seen the increased usage of telecom with the spread of mobile telephony. The important point to be noted usage amongst rural population and economically lower sections has increased postintroduction of pay-as-you-go or prepaid service. newline