Benefits and expectations of the farmers from e-velanmai (e-agriculture) model of technology transfer process in Tamil Nadu

The present study was conducted in Aliyar and Palar sub basins of Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts of Tamil Nadu. The total number of e-velanmai enrolled farmers in Aliyar and Palar were 392 and 530 respectively. Proportionate random sample of 30 respondents was selected from each sub basin. Totally 60 respondents were selected who were all members in WUA of Aliyar and Palar sub basins. A majority of the respondents had awareness about the e-velanmai scheme. A vast majority of respondents were highly benefited through this e-velanmai mode of technology transfer. A majority of the respondents adopted the technologies received since it is low cost and effective. A vast majority of the respondents perceived various advantages and the main advantage was that it helped in saving time and money of the farmers as the advise were delivered at the farm gate. A vast majority of the respondents did not have any problem in accessing farm advice. The majority of respondents had problems with the usage of ICT tools. More than half of the respondents had obtained technical advices through e-velanmai. A majority of respondents were satisfied with the extension services offered through e-velanmai. Most of the farmers were ready to receive agro technologies through e-velanmai mode to practice scientific agriculture in their farm. All the respondents liked to get many technical oriented training, on the use of ICT tools for technology transfer. e-velanmai was evaluated as an effective means to transfer agro technologies to farmers. This is considered to be an effective approach of technology transfer to farmers by agricultural experts.