Importance of ICT tools as Information Sources as Perceived by KVK staff and Farmers

The study was conducted in Central Uttar Pradesh to know the importance of ICT tools as Information sources as perceived by KVK staff and farmers. Kanpur Dehat, Unnao, Lucknow, Rae Bareli and Pratapgarh districts were selected purposively because these districts are nearer to Lucknow. A total of 175 farmers registered with selected 5 KVKs and using ICT tools were selected as respondents. Social media is becoming a very important tool in farming because it has the ability to connect with farmers and agribusiness people from around the world over large geographical distances. In present scenario agriculture being highly skill oriented and technical intensive sector needed to high priority. Introduction to ICT in the field of agriculture has brought many changes in traditional methods of extension. It enables the dissemination of requisite information at the right time. The revolution in ICT has made access to the information easy and cost effective to the farming communities. The reports indicated that 45 per cent of the world's ICT projects implemented in India. Asia's highest number of information kiosks implemented across rural India. Series of broadcasts on a particular topic through the Krishi Community Radio Station has significantly increased the knowledge of the listeners on need-based aspects of agriculture. (Nitya Shree et. al. 2013). The mass media sources like television, radio and mobile phones were the most preferred source of information. Agriculture extension officer and KVK personnel were contacted by 70 per cent and 43 per cent of respondents strengthening their role in weather information dissemination.