An Analysis of EReadiness and Ict Utilization by Different Stakeholders of Agriculture in Karnataka and Kerala

Abstract

The study was conducted in Karnataka and Kerala states of India during the year newline2016-18. The sample of the study comprised of scientists and extension personnel (30 each) newlineof ICAR institute, SAU, KVK and SDA under research and extension system, input dealers newline(30), bank officials (30) and marketing agency personnel (30) under support system and newlinefarmers from Dharwad and Thrissur districts (45 each) under client system. A scale to newlinemeasure e-readiness was developed and used. newlineThe study revealed that overall e-readiness of ICAR institute was higher (69.10 %) newlinefollowed by KVK (68.76 %), SAU (64.89 %) and SDA (63.73 %). e-Readiness of marketing newlineagency (70.09 %) was higher followed by bank (69.54 %) and input agency (46.62 %). newlineFarmers of Kerala were more e-ready (68.38 %) than farmers of Karnataka (62.01 %). ICT newlineutilization was significantly higher in ICAR institute followed by KVK, SAU and SDA with newlinemean scores (MS) of 26.83, 25.40, 24.03 and 20.37, respectively. There was significant newlinedifference in ICT utilization among bank (MS = 25.37), marketing agency (MS = 24.03) and newlineinput agency (MS = 18.27). Kerala farmers (MS = 18.42) had significantly higher utilization newlineof ICT tools than Karnataka farmers (MS = 15.76). newlineMajority of Karnataka farmers (57.78%) and Kerala farmers (60.00 %) used website newlineand mobile for collecting information on seed management and marketing, respectively. ICT newlinetraining of SDA officials, education of marketing officials among the personnel, while newlinefarmer s education, scientific orientation, ICT literacy and ICT accessibility had positive newlinerelationship with ICT utilization. Lack of training was the major constraint faced in using newlineICTs by farmers of Karnataka (75.56 %) and Kerala (72.22 %). Study recommended to newlineestablish digital platform in each district with open access linking research, extension, support newlineand client system to enable real time information sharing and transfer to farming community. newline