Assessment of Kisan Mobile Advisory (KMA) Service for Dissemination of Agricultural Information in Mehsana District of Gujarat State

Abstract

In present scenario, agriculture being highly skill oriented technically intensive needed a high priority. At present the
ratio of farmers to extension worker is quite low (1000:1). Maximum RAEO or other extension workers disseminated
agriculture knowledge without having much accountability and expertise. This issue has created a gap between improved
agriculture technology and the end user (farmer). To address the issue Kisan Mobile Advisory Service was launched for
sending information through SMS in Mehsana District through Krishi Vigyan Kendra during January 2014. The content
of messages were typed in Gujarati language and information related to crop production, crop protection, vegetable and
fruit production, spice crops, dairy farming, weather forecasting, post harvest management and other agricultural and
allied related information sent to end users. To evaluate and information and usefulness of information, the present study
was conducted with survey of 80 farmers, 10 in-service personnel and 10 input suppliers of district during 2014-15. The
result of survey shows that messages were highly understandable for majority (42.50 %) of the farmers. It was highly
understandable for 80 per cent and 50 per cent KMA member of in-service personnel and input supplier category,
respectively. The messages were needful and timely for 67.50 per cent of KMAmember of farmers’category and about 70
per cent and 50 per cent for in-service personnel and input supplier, respectively. As far as applicability of message is
concerned, messages were fully applicable for about 44 per cent of KMAmember of farmers’ category whereas medium
and partially applicable were reported by 17.50 per cent and 22.50 per cent of members, respectively. It was also found
that messages were fully applicable for in-service personnel (60 %) and input supplier (50 %). Majority of the farmers
(72.50 %) conveyed the messages minimum to at least another farmer in social system