Extent use of ICT tools by the respondents of North Kashmir (J&K) for seeking agricultural information in transfer of technology

The study on extent of use of ICT tools by the respondents for seeking agricultural information in transfer of technology was carried out in all the three (03) districts of North Kashmir (Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora) in the UT J&K. Out of a list of 11855 farmers who were directly connected to Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), State Development Departments, SKUAST - Kashmir Agromet Field Unit and receiving updates via Farmer Portal, a sample of 350 farmers was selected through Stratified Random Sampling proportional to size from each district with the condition that the selected respondents had utilized two ICT tools during 2020. A well-structured interview schedule was prepared keeping in view the objectives of the study. It was pretested in a non-sampled area and minor refinements were made to perfect the schedule. Personal interviews were used to gather data, which was analyzed using appropriate statistical tools/tests. More than 90 per cent respondents had perceived radio and television (ICT tools for changing attitude and improved skill) as a good information source in transfer of agricultural technology. More than 50 per cent respondents had perceived bulletins and Public address system (ICT tools) for the transfer of agriculture technology. The findings revealed that majority of the respondents had fully adopted agriculture related information by using mobile, smart phones, CD/DVDs, computers, tablets, laptops due to internet facility providing stake holders throughGPRS, Wi-Fi and broadband.