Problem Faced by the Farmers in Using Information Communication Technology Tools for receiving Rice Production Information
M. S. Rahman
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
M. S. Ali
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
M. H. Kabir *
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
M. M. Alam
Department of Agricultural Extension and Information System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The facilitation of technology transfer to farmers plays a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity within the context of Bangladesh. In relation to this matter, a study was undertaken to evaluate the extent of problems faced by the farmers in utilizing Information Communication Technology (ICT) technologies for accessing rice production information. Data were collected from randomly selected 340 ICT tool using rice farmers of four selected districts of Bangladesh. The results indicated that majority (66.2%) of the rice farmers faced severe problem, compared to 27.9% and 5.9% of them faced moderate and low problem respectively in using ICT tools for receiving rice production technologies. Based on Standardized Problem Faced Index, top five severe problems were lack of ICT knowledge of farmers, high cost of internet packages, lack of training in using of ICT tools, high cost of ICT tools and required more time to learn using ICT tools. These problems may be minimized by providing necessary training to the farmers on using ICT tools for receiving rice production information, cost reduction of internet package and ICT tools, providing better internet connectivity, uninterrupted power supply as perceived by the farmers.
Keywords: Barriers, ICT, rice growers, agricultural information