Utilization of ICTs for Availing Agricultural Information in District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Pakistan
Utilization of ICTs for Availing Agricultural Information in District Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa- Pakistan
Mohammad Tariq Aziz* and Ayesha Khan
ABSTRACT
Agricultural productivity has been improved through the utilization of modern techniques. Access to information in agriculture can be extended through ICTs which support and share knowledge. The research study was conducted to find out the role and utilization of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for availing agricultural information in the research area. District Charsadda was the universe of the study and Multi Stage Sampling technique was used to select respondents from three selected villages of Tehsil Shabqadar of District Charsadda, namely Hajizai, Katozai and Battagram. Through Proportional Allocation Technique a sample of 112 respondents on basis of 10% of total 1120 registered farmers was drawn to collect primary data through pre-tested and well-structured interview schedule. Collected data was analysized using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results show that 42% of the respondents were above 35 years of age, majority (80%) were literate having education from primary to above matric, 45.5% had farming experience of 1-10 years while 67% have knowledge about agriculture extension department. All the respondents have knowledge about ICTs in which mobile phone was owned by 42.8% respondents in the research area followed by TV (25%) and radio (17.0%) while respondents who have telephone was recorded as 15.2% as a ICT tool. In the research area 7.1% of the respondent avail information through TV program, 9.9% through radio broadcasts, 13.4% through mobile, 11.6% through internet, 14.3% through agriculture extension agents, 5.4% through private companies while 7.9% through fellow farmers. Only 41.1% of the respondents were aware of the programs about agriculture programs on mobile or internet in which more than half of the respondents (54.8%) got awareness from extension agents, 19.5% by themselves, 17.4% by fellow farmers and 4% through private companies. Major problems encountered in receiving information were weak radio and TV signals, poor internet facility, less contact with extension workers and load shedding of electricity. Farmers considered that information obtained through ICTs are moderately sufficient and effective. Significant association existed of age and educational level with major problems faced whereas highly significant relationship was found for age and farming experience with application of information obtained while non-significant association existed with educational level. The study recommends that extension agents should create awareness and educate farmers on the use of modern ICT tools to obtain timely and relevant information to speed up adoption of innovations.
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