Utilization of ICT based Dissemination System for Aquaculture and Allied Activities among Clientele of a Coastal KVK

Abstract

that are difficult to reach and taking into account
their high-tech farming practices, the need for the
utilization of Information Communication Technologies
(ICTs) for information access is very
critical. On the other hand, various coastal Krishi
Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in India are electronically
connected through internet facilities for sharing the
information among all stakeholders. Data were
collected from 60 clients of a coastal KVK at
Kattupakkam in Kancheepuram district of Tamil
Nadu to assess the extent of utilization of ICT based
dissemination tools for aquaculture and allied
activities. The utilization quotient obtained from the
respondents ranged from 52.78 to 88.89 with mean
of 63.19. The utilization of ICT dissemination system
were through mobile phones (88.89%), video films
(83.33%), television (69.44%) and audio CDs (66.67%).
Pearson’s product moment correlation analysis
revealed that the variables viz., education, extension
media contact, training exposure, knowledge in ICT
and participation in ICT project activities had
significant and positive relationship with utilization
of ICT while age had negative relationship. The
step-wise regression analysis further revealed that
82.5% of the variation in the utilization of ICT can
be accounted by the combined effect of five
independent variables such as knowledge gained
through ICT, education, participation in ICT activities,
extension media contact and training exposure.
The key problems hindering the use of ICTs in the
farming operations were, lack of ICT based technical 

knowledge, cost factor and lack of technical support.
One-fifth of the respondents identified that the
extension services can play a predominant role in
imparting technical support for farmers and also
for explaining the usage of ICT tools in farming
operations.