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Type : Other Article

E-Readiness of Extension Functionaries of Southern States of India in Agricultural Technology Dissemination

K. Bhagya Lakshmi and K.S. Purnima

Abstract

The world has witnessed the birth of a new era –The Information communication era, which has changed considerably the way people live and communicate. Agricultural extension functionaries in India have an important role in dissemination of agricultural technologies to enhance the productivity of the farming community. The study investigated the preparedness of the extension professionals and extension organizations to implement ICT enabled extension services for farming community. In this study, e-readiness is defined in terms of Awareness, Knowledge, Accessibility, Perception and Extent of utilization of ICT tools by extension personnel in agricultural extension system. The present study was conducted in five southern states of India to measure the e-readiness of the public sector agricultural extension functionaries towards use of ICTs. A total number of 500 officers of agriculture and allied departments from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Union Territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Lakshadweep were selected randomly for the study. The data was collected from development officers using structured interview schedules, questionnaires and check lists. The study also focused on identification of gaps and constraints involved in the implementation of e extension initiatives in agriculture and allied sectors in the dissemination of technologies can be assessed so as to streamline the policies accordingly. The findings of the study showed that more than 60 per cent of officers perceived positively on the usage of ICT tools for dissemination of farm information

Keyword: e-readiness; Information Communication Technologies (ICTs); Extension functionaries;

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