Frequency of Utilization of ICT Tools by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Scientists of Rajasthan State, India

Abstract

Information communication technology (ICT) is a multidimensional term for information technology (IT) that addresses the role of integrated communication and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals) and computers as well as essential enterprise software, middleware, storage, communication which enable users to access, store, transmit and manipulate information. ICT’s is emerging as an important tool for the progress of society. The new technology has significantly improved lifestyle and efficiency levels in all sectors of the economy. This enables the utility of information & communication technology to overcome physical distances and time gaps in communication. Rapid improvements in information technology have increased their cost and space requirements, speed and storage capacity in a short span of time with traditional communication materials such as posters, charts, leaflets, folders, bulletins, audio tapes, transparency, photographs, prepared slides, videotape etc. In simple terms, ICT is a set of techniques evolved to manage information and move it from one place to another. It has been observed that in this traditional system used to take a lot of time to convey the information given to the farmers and the information was not received correctly. The rapid development of information technology has given a new look to communication systems. Now connecting two computers across the country has become an easy task. Separate ICT projects have been initiated by government, NGO’s and private companies. As a result, villages in many parts of the country have been connected through a wired network to eliminate the distance between rural and urban people. Krishi Vigyan Kendra are established by Indian Council Of Agricultural Research (ICAR) all over the country as an institutional innovation for application of agricultural science and technology on the farmer’s field with the help of multidisciplinary team i.e. Senior Scientists and Subject Matter Specialists. Who give skill or knowledge oriented training to farmers in multidisciplinary areas like Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, Home Science Agriculture Extension, Agronomy, Plant Protection Entomology/Pathology and Agriculture Engineer. The result of the study depict that the frequency of utilization of ICT tools by scientists for the farmers the tool which is utilized maximum by the KVK scientist is Smart phone, Internet and WhatsApp with (x = 5.00) and Rank-I and the minimum utilized by scientists Agri Guru, Mahadhan App, Agro medix agriculture app, Farm Key were not very frequently used ICT tools with (x= 0.21, 0.17., 0.7,.0.00). Rank L,LI,LII.LIII,LIV.