Information and communication technology (ICT) has become the most influential means of disseminating information required by the people globally. Today Andhra Pradesh is passing through the phase of communication revolution, which has brought about significant growth of media in mass communication. In the era of globalization, ICT is the most powerful resource for the widespread transfer and sharing of information. It is the convergence of media and it is perceived to have the potential to boost economic, social and political development towards the mankind as a whole. Agricultural sector has experienced a new technological revolution for the past ten years. Compared to decade earlier, this revolution has the potential to respond to farmers needs accurately and swiftly. It’s vital that farmers should receive agricultural information as fast as possible so that they understand, interpret, accept and utilize the information to get desired benefit. ICT could be the best solution for the spread of agricultural information and technologies. Also, farmers can use the same platform to communicate feedback on new technologies from field experiences to the agricultural officers. Furthermore, ICT has the means of creating platform that will help to break the weak linkage between farmer- extension- researches.

Currently there are staffing challenges in Andhra Pradesh, as the extension officer to farmer ratio is very low at 1: 1162 (www.thehansindia.com)[5]. Also, farming communities are located far and moreover, extension services lack the needed resources to offer services to farmers in remote areas. To overcome these challenges, there a dire need to analyze the extent of ICT utilization by agricultural extension officers.

Methodology

The present study was conducted in Guntur and Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh in 2017-18. Ex Post Facto Research design was used with random sampling method. A total of 60 respondents from Guntur and Krishna districts were selected @ 30 numbers per district.  Data was collected through structured Interview schedule and statistical techniques like frequency and percentage were used. The major services provided by the respondents were listed and scores are given on three point continuum viz., every time (3), often (2) and rarely (1) accordingly ranks were given to the services.

Results and discussion

 Age

Results presented in table 1 revealed that more than half (56.66%) of the respondents are belonged to middle age category followed by young age (25.00%) and old age (18.34%) categories.

The above trend might be due to fact that, there was regular recruitment of agricultural extension officers in the present past to fill the vacant seats.

Education

A cursory look at table 1 concluded that more than half (51.66%) of the respondents has education level of B.Sc. Agriculture followed by diploma in Agriculture (40.00%) and M.Sc. in Agriculture (8.34%).

Even though the minimum qualification for agricultural extension officers is diploma, due to limited opportunities for B.Sc. Agriculture under government as well as private sector majority of the B.Sc. gradates also opting for the post of AEO’s.

Work experience

It is evident from table 1 that ( 48.33%) of the respondents are having 2-4 years of experience followed by (31.64%) having more than 4 years of experience and (20.00%) having less than 2 years of experience.

The above result is due to recent recruitment to fill the long lasting posts in agricultural department. On the other side, it might be taking more years to get promotion as AO’s for those who are having required qualifications.

Source of information

From table 1 it is concluded that (48.33%) of the respondents are getting information by state departmentofficers followed by (26.64%) from marketing officers and (25.00%) from scientists.

  The above results are due to fact that the higher authorities for AEO’s are AO’s & ADA’s, so whenever they require information they go to state department official. On the other side, enthusiastic people acquiring information from scientists regarding latest technologies, varieties and innovations.

Mass media

From table 1 it is revealed that all the respondents were using mobile phones followed by television (43.33%), newspapers (30.00%) and radio (20.00 %) for obtaining information. It indicated that AEO’s using mobile phones rather than any mass media. It might be due to flexibility, cheaper cost and easy handling and also due to easy sharing of information anytime and anywhere.

 Training

 A cursory look at the table 1 revealed that more than half (65.00%) of the respondents obtained training. From the results it is indicated that they obtained their ICT training from the colleges or universities they studied, as part of their course.

Skills possessed

It is evident from the table that maximum (90.00%) number of the respondents possesses internet and aware of data entry and MS word followed by MS excel (75.00%) and power point presentation (60.00%).

The above trend might be due to fact that the respondents who received training possess the skills like power point presentation and usage of MS excel. On the other side, as the respondents are graduated from universities they have basic knowledge on ICT.

TABLE 1: PROFILE CHARACTERISTICS OF RESPONDENTS (N=60)

Services provided through ICT:

TABLE 1: Profile Characteristics Of Respondents (N=60)

Services provided through ICT:

Table 2. Services provided by the Agricultural Extension Officers through ICT utilization

The above table explicitly depicted that, “Weather related information” (162) was found to be the major service which is frequently provided by the AEO’s using ICTs. Followed by “Marketing information of crops” (157), “Improved production technologies” (138) and “Advisory services” (124) were mentioned as critical services provided based on the ranks.

The other ICT services includes “Demand for various crops” (109), “Video clips of demonstration” (101),  “voice messages” (98), “Use of digital camera for diagnostic services” (97) and  “Use of computer for expert system” (89) .

Mostly weather related information can be provided by the AEO’s through ICTs,  so that farmers can adopt  pro-active measures  based on forecasts like saving of spraying costs, prophylactic sprays before attack of disease, timely harvesting of crops etc.,

ICT tools, specifically mobile applications provide information on market prices of commodities in the nearest town and also elsewhere prime markets by which they can develop an understanding of minimum and maximum prices. This helps the farmers to market the produce during low seasons. AEOs provide information on latest crop production technologies such as new varieties of crops, IPM, INM technologies developed in research.  They also provide information on marketing of produce, government development programmes, distribution of inputs and provide timely advice through personal calls, SMS and MMS services.

Conclusion

ICTs play an important role in delivering the information with in no time.  ICTs help in meeting information thrust of farmers for new approaches. It also helps in empowering the rural people by providing better access to needy resources, improved agricultural technologies, effective production strategies, marketing and financial services.  Application of computer software and ICTs in agriculture can help to achieve new heights for sustainability and precision agriculture.

References

1. Agha, N. 2018. Use of Information and Communication Technologies by extension personnel to disseminate agricultural information. M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, CCSHAU, Hisar.
2. Ajayi, A.O., Alibi, O.S. and Akinsola, T (2013). Knowledge and perception of extension agents on information and communication technologies use in extension service delivery in Ondo state, Nigeria, African Journal of Agricultural Research 8(4), 6226-6233.
3. Rao.M. (2000). A study on the communication technologies used by the agricultural assistants of KSDA in Dharwad district. M.Sc. (Agri.) Thesis, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad.
4. Sharma, R. 2018. Utilization pattern of ICTS among scientists of KVKS in Madhya Pradesh. Ph.D Thesis, RVSKVV, Gwalior.
5. www.thehansindia.com