Assessing ICT Tools Possession and Purpose of Utilization in Dairy Farming: A Study in North Karnataka, India

Abstract

Integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in dairy farming has emerged as a transformative force, enhancing efficiency, decision-making and market accessibility. However, the extent of ICT tool possession and utilization for dairy farming remains underexplored, particularly in North Karnataka. Keeping this in view, the present investigation was undertaken to assess the possession of ICT tools and their purpose of utilization among dairy farmers in the region. An Ex-post facto research design was adopted for the investigation. The study was conducted in two districts viz., Dharwad and Belagavi of North Karnataka in 2023. From each district, two taluks and from each taluk two hoblis were selected randomly. Each hobli consists of several villages and several hoblis together form a taluk. Fifteen dairy farmers were selected from each hobli, resulting in a total sample size of 120. The data were collected primarily through a pre-tested structured interview schedule and were calculated by using suitable statistical tools. The findings indicated that 40.00 percent of the dairy farmers had high ICT tools possession but had less utilization (39.16 %) for dairy-related purposes. For feed management, the most used ICT tool was TV (75.00 %) and for health care management cent percent of dairy farmers used TV and mobile phones. The most extensively used ICT tool for dairy and dairy produce marketing was the mobile phone (91.67 %), for getting information on government schemes and programmes dairy farmers were using dairy publications (13.33 %) and for loan/insurance facilities mobile phone (7.50 %). Further, cent percent of the dairy farmers were not using ICTs for getting information on the selection of breeds, housing management and breeding management purposes. The correlation and regression analysis confirmed that education, source consultancy pattern, ICT possession, scientific orientation and innovativeness were key predictors of ICT utilization. The study highlights the need for awareness programmes and capacity-building initiatives to enhance ICT adoption in dairy farming.