Application of Information Sources in Decision-making by Farmers — A Case Study of Rural Development

This study has looked at the demographic status of farmers to find the factors that enhance or diminish the use of a computer by them. The factors that seemed relevant are degree of external support, age, and views on management, time, experience, network and access to information. The farmers rated the importance of 13 specific types of information available to them on an on-line agricultural information service using a one-to-five scale. According to them, various types of commodity information, agricultural news and outlook information were most important. The frequently-updated information, always accessible telephone line, modest cost and a toll-free number were also rated as important features. The e-mail received the lowest rating, indicating that the farmers didn't feel this feature to be important for them. The information sources used by the farmers were printed materials (magazines, newsletters), followed by face-to-face advice by other farmers, risk management experts (training courses/seminars), internet-based education modules, e-mails, books, risk management associations and radio/television programs.