Farmers” satisfaction from use of information and communication technology in Punjab

Adoption of smart phone technology showed the potential of new communication technology in farming and ICTs like WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and farmer portal helping farmers to take informed decision. A sample of 120 progressive farmers of Punjab state was selected to assess satisfaction level of farmers from ICT use in acquiring farm information. Majority of the respondents were matriculate, less than 35 years age, and 2-4 hectare operational land holding. Study revealed that farmers expressed high satisfaction level about use of ICT for accessing information related to crop production, marketing, supply and agricultural support services. The overall farmer satisfaction index ranged from 60.3 to 100 and nearly half of the respondents (45.8%) secured high satisfaction index (85.7-100). Most of the WhatsApp user farmers (87.50%) were satisfied with the acquired information. Age and farming experience exhibited negative significant relationship with satisfaction level of farmers, whereas operational land holding showed positive correlation. Competency and infrastructural improvement will facilitate the extension personnel to supply farmers with timely, relevant and reliable farm information using ICT, to realize enhanced farmers” satisfaction.