Cotton production technologies dissemination through mobile in zone 1b of Rajasthan

India is largest cultivator of cotton stand second in the world. It has been facing challenges with regard to sustaining and increasing its productivity level. In recent years productivity has showed increasing trend by inclusion of improved production technologies of cotton from research system. Among the various reasons cited for low productivity, wide gap in technology dissemination found to be significant. Hence, transfer of cotton technologies among cotton growers is the way to enhance yield of cotton crop. The Communication and Information support for cotton technology transfer among cotton growers in recent time is proving beneficial. Many cotton growers in the country did not know about improved cotton production technologies as they did not have reach of extension workers. The extension needs of the cotton growers in the country are diversified and extension functionaries required to be updated about new development in cotton technologies. Seeing the utility of Information Communication and Technologies in the Agril. Sector, the Central Institute for Cotton Research, Nagpur under TMC has been executing extension mechanism called “e-kapas network” for effective knowledge transfer of cotton crop since 2013–14. Regular delivery of cotton technologies through voice message/alerts in local language to the cotton growers is continued. Irrigated North Western Plain Zone (I b) comprising of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan. At Agricultural Research Station (SKRAU), Sriganganagar 35700 cotton farmers have been registered under e-kapas network project. During the period 2013–14 to 2016–17, total 221 SMS containing improved cotton production technologies and market information has been sent to registered cotton growers of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan. Establishment of representative network of registered cotton farmers through e-kapas network project have helped in intensive pest monitoring, overcoming pest epidemic situation through awareness and need based advisory provided directly to the cotton farmers. Further, trainings and accessing of web base data in vernacular language (weather, production technology, market and price) of entire country to the registered farmers helped them to be better aware of the technology. Some of the constraints identified under the service were non-reply, invalid numbers and DND registration. Wider application of mobile in agriculture should be promoted for timely and precise information to farmers