Information Needs and Production Constraints as Perceived by Extension Personnel Towards Castor, Sunflower and Safflower Cultivation

The information and communication technologies (ICTs) are capable reducing of the sense of isolation of the farmers and the rural community and provides open access to knowledge. I-kiosk is one of the important tools of ICTs, which can inform and educate the farmers about improved production technology and remunerative allied systems and components of agriculture. A project was initiated during 2007–08, to establish ikiosk at Directorate of Oilseeds Research (DOR), Hyderabad to serve the visitors including oilseed growers, with relevant information to suit their felt needs. As a pre-requisite, it is essential to assess the information needs of the extension personnel from the line departments, who have close contact with farmers. A total of 121 extension personnel representing 16 states and 62 districts of the country responded for the survey through structured questionnaire. The information needs as well as the perceived production constraints were prioritized based on the rank based quotient (RBQ) values. It was found that market related information, information about improved varieties and hybrids, integrated nutrient and pest management were the top felt information needs in castor, sunflower and safflower. Market related constraints, non-availability of quality seeds and damage due to pests and diseases were the top-ranked perceived production constraints of the extension personnel. These factors are to be considered while finalizing the content for the i-kiosk.