Unveiling impediments faced by farmers in utilizing mobile phones: A friedman test based analysis

A mobile phone is a highly useful and convenient ICT tool for farmers to seek real-time information from desired sources. However, farmers are not able to effectively harness the potential of mobile phones in agriculture due to numerous challenges. Therefore, this study was formulated to identify such problems and provide necessary suggestions. The research aimed to shed light on the constraints faced by farmers in utilizing mobile phones. Primary data were collected from the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh using a multi-method, multi-stage sampling procedure. The Garret Ranking method and Friedman test were employed to analyze and interpret the data. The Friedman test statistics were computed to rank the broad categories of constraints. The findings revealed that fluctuating network availability was the most prevalent infrastructural constraint (x̄ = 70.23). Among the financial constraints, the most critical issue was inadequate income (x̄ = 69.18). Lack of literacy (x̄ = 67.23) and privacy concerns (x̄ = 71.34) were identified as significant awareness and miscellaneous constraints, respectively. The Friedman test statistics were found to be highly significant (p = 0.001), helping to rank the broad categories of constraints. The principle of ranking followed that the lower the Friedman Test Mean Rank Value (FTMRV), the higher the rank. Accordingly, infrastructural constraints were ranked first (FTMRV = 1.60), followed by technical constraints (FTMRV = 2.38), financial constraints (FTMRV = 2.59), and miscellaneous constraints (FTMRV = 3.43). The study suggests that by addressing these constraints, extension workers and policymakers can enhance mobile phone-based ICT services, enabling them to play a transformative role in empowering farmers, fostering agricultural growth, and sustaining productivity and profitability.