Awareness of farmers about information and communication technology based Agricultural extension services in some selected areas of chittagong district

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine farmers' awareness of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) based agricultural extension services and to assess the adoption of ICT based agricultural extension services by the farmers. The research was conducted in Mirsharai upazila under Chittagong district. Data were collected randomly by using a structured questionnaire from a total of sixty farmers in the study areas. Moreover, Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted to cross-check the research findings. Data were collected from February to April 2016. It was found that the awareness as well as the adoption of ICT based agricultural extension services by the farmers was very poor. The respondents were introduced to a few ICT based agricultural extension services such as Farmer's Information and Advice Centre (FIAC), Agricultural Information and Communication Centre (AICC), krishi call centre, and agricultural bangle website. About 16 percent of respondents only use ICT based sources to get services on agricultural productivity. Farmer's level of education and extension media contact have a positive and significant relationship with the adoption of ICT based agricultural extension services.