Vol. 11, Special Issue 10 (2022)

Author(s):
Vishwanath H, Singh AK, Savitha CM and Shivananda P Yarazari

Abstract:
Modern days of agriculture works a lot of differently than that of few decades past, it is primarily as a result of advancements in technology, together with new devices, improvised machines, and information technology. The study was carried out in Tumkur district of Karnataka State during the year 2018- 19. To know the utilization pattern of ICT projects, Kisan Call Center, Raita Mitra Kendras, Krishi Marata Vahini and e-Choupal projects were selected for the study. The total sample size was 100. The results revealed that majority of farmers 66.00% were utilizing services of Kisan Call Centre whenever needed, most farmers about 45.00% did not use the services of e-Choupal, nearly half of the respondents (50.00%) were utilizing Krishi Marata Vahini services whenever they needed and 24.00% were never used and 25.00% of farmers utilized whenever needed the Raith Mitra services. Utilization pattern of ICT projects for specific information indicated that most of the farmers (33.00%) were utilizing KCC for information regarding crop protection, 31.00% of the farmers used e-Choupal for information regarding cultivation practices, 78.00% utilize Krishi Marata Vahini services for regularly updated market prices, and in Raith Mitra Kendra majority of farmers (36.00%) use for cultivation practices. The adoptions of the improved technology by farmers are believed to be affected directly or indirectly by different socio economic factors. So, the ICT enabled extension systems are acting as a key agent for changes in the agricultural situation and the lives of farmers.