Exploring the Strategies, Utilisation and Limitations of Digital Tool Adoption in Sugarcane Farming
428 / 147
Authors
-
Pratibha Chaturvedi
Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh,221005
-
Lalita Vatta
Banaras Hindu University,Varanasi,Uttar Pradesh,221005
Keywords:
digital tools, sugarcane cultivators, agricultural practices, strategies, ObstaclesAbstract
The study investigates how sugarcane farmers are currently using digital technologies, identifies the obstacles to their efficient use, and suggests ways to improve the digitalization of sugarcane farming methods. The research was carried out during 2024 in Deoria (district) Sugarcane Committee’s Jaura Bazar centre "A", Uttar Pradesh, which is the Deoria Sugarcane Committee's highest-producing sugarcane centre. Purposive sampling was used to choose the sugarcane committee and centre, while random sampling method was used to select the villages and respondent farmers. Garrett's ranking approach was used to assess the constraints of digital tools and technology as perceived by sugarcane cultivators. Data was collected from 230 respondents using a pre-structured interview schedule, revealing that mobile applications are mostly used for seed treatment and pest control in sugarcane farming, and they are less frequently used for other tasks. The primary barriers include technological challenges, budgetary limitations, and societal concerns. It is suggested to use strategies like offline apps, training, free subscriptions, and local language assistance to boost acceptability.
References
Adu, G. K., & Osei-Bonsu, K. (2020). Challenges faced by smallholder farmers in utilizing ICTs for agricultural information: A case study of Ghana. International Journal of ICT Research in Africa and the Middle East, 9(1), 47-63. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/152968?articlesBySimilarityPage=2
Ao, W., & Jamir, B. K. (2020). Application of garret ranking technique in studying the problems of bamboo cultivation: A case study of Mokokchung district. Nagaland. Indian Journal of Hill Farming, 33(2), 311-315.https://kiran.nic.in/pdf/IJHF/Vol_33_2/17_compressed.pdf
Beriya, A. (2020). Digital agriculture: Challenges and possibilities in India. [ICT India Working Paper, 35]. https://csd.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/docs/ICT%20-India/Papers/ICT_India_Working_Paper_35.pdf
Casaburi, L., Kremer, M., Mullainathan, S., & Ramrattan, R. (2014). Harnessing ICT to increase agricultural production: Evidence from Kenya. Harvard University. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352812056_Harnessing_digital_technology_to_improve_agricultural_productivity
Gomathinayagam, S., Bharathi, V., & Azhakappan, C. (2019). Analysis of problems faced by customers during use of Mobile Banking in Tenkasi. International Journal of Research and Analytical Review, 6(2). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/373897735_Financial_Inclusion_among_Farmers_through_Electronic_Banking
Jadhav, M. S. (2024). Digital technology adoption among farm households in Hiware bazaar, Maharashtra: Preferences, challenges, and implications. https://ncgg.org.in/sites/default/files/lectures-document/Mangesh_Jadhav.pdf
Karthikeyan, C. &Kumar, A. (2022). Functioning of an Android app TNAU paddy expert system and its user’s feedback sentiment analysis. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 22(2): 113-121. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360464462_Functioning_of_an_Android_app_TNAU_Paddy_Expert_System_and_its_User's_Feedback_Sentiment_Analysis
Lokeswari, K. (2016). A study of the use of ICT among rural farmers. International Journal of Communication Research, 6(3), 232.https://ijcr.eu/articole/325_03%20K%20LOKESWARI.pdf
Meera, S. N., Jhamtani, A., & Rao, D. U. M. (2004). Information and communication technology in agricultural development: A comparative analysis of three projects from India. Agricultural Research & Extension Network,(135), 1-14.
Mahalakshmi, P., Shanthi, B., Chandrasekaran, V. S., & Ravisankar, T. (2015). Utilization of ICT based dissemination system for aquaculture and allied activities among clientele of a coastal KVK. Fishery Technology Journal,52(2),130-134. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/FT/article/view/48223
Mittal, S., & Mehar, M. (2016). Socio-economic factors affecting adoption of modern information and communication technology by farmers in India: Analysis using multivariate probit model. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 22(2), 199-212.
Molin, J. P., Wei, M. C. F., & da Silva, E. R. O. (2024). Challenges of Digital Solutions in Sugarcane Crop Production: A Review. Agri Engineering, 6(2), 925-946 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379564519_Challenges_of_Digital_Solutions_in_Sugarcane_Crop_Production_A_Review
Nain, M. S., & Bhagat, G. R (2005). Farmers’ training on ‘trench vegetable production technology’ vis a vis knowledge and adoption level in trans Himalayan region. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education, 5(2), 56-58. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/244994101_Farmers'_Training_on_'Trench_Vegetable_Production_technology'_Vis_aVis_Knowledge_and_Adoption_Level_in_Trans_Himalayan_Region
Pandey, N. (2017). Role of information and communication technology in agriculture development: a study of Nabarangpur district. Scholedge International Journal of Business Policy & Governance, 4(4), 24-35. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319966150_ROLE_OF_INFORMATION_AND_COMMUNICATION_TECHNOLOGY_IN_AGRICULTURE_DEVELOPMENT_A_STUDY_OF_NABARANGPUR_DISTRICT
Patra, S., Raj, R. K., & Mishra, J. R. (2020). Perceived use of computer in extension activities by the extension officials. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 56(3), 83-87.https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/106985?articlesBySimilarityPage=55
Prakash, N., Rao, A. S., Awasthi, A. K., & Maurya, S. (2024). Digital transformation in Indian agriculture: assessing the impact on crop monitoring and sustainable farming techniques. International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Scientific Research,7(8). https://doi.org/10.31426/ijamsr.2024.7.8.7617
Rohit, & Singh, M. (2023). Utilization pattern of ICT tools by paddy growers in Uttar Pradesh. Indian Journal of Extension Education,59(2), 135–137. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/133054
Shalendra, Gummagolmath, K.C. and Sharma, P. (2011) ICT initiatives in Indian agriculture – An overview, Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics, 66(3), 489497 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275954321_ICT_Initiatives_in_Indian_Agriculture_-An_Overview
Singh, M., Sharma, S., & Kumar, S. (2019). Study on use of digital banking among farmers of Sharanpur district. Annals of Horticulture, 12(1), 99-104. https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:ah&volume=12&issue=1&article=014
Shanthy, T. R., Rao, C. V. B., & Chauhan, J. K. (2022). Mobile use pattern of sugarcane growers in Kamareddy district, Telangana State. Indian Research Journal of Extension Education,22(5), 275-282. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366819163_Mobile_Use_Pattern_of_Sugarcane_Growers_in_Kamareddy_District_Telangana_State
Satapathy, G. P., Das, S., Sahu, B. L., Dash, S., & Tripathy, M. (2024). Constraints of ICT adoption in agriculture in Khurda and Bargarh districts of Odisha. Indian Journal of Extension Education, 60(3), 106-109. https://epubs.icar.org.in/index.php/IJEE/article/view/152968
Townsend, R., Lampietti, J. A., Treguer, D. O., Schroeder, K. G., Haile, M. G., Juergenliemk, A., ... & Varangis, P. (2019). Future of food: harnessing digital technologies to improve food system outcomes. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank, Washington DC, USA. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/941601554962010560/pdf/Future-of-Food-Harnessing-Digital-Technologies-to-Improve-Food-System-Outcomes.pdf
Trendov, N. M., Varas, S., & Zeng, M. (2019). Digital technologies in agriculture and rural areas. International System for Agricultural Science and Technology. (p.140). https://agris.fao.org/search/en/providers/122621/records/64746e0bd2d44cfaede23d63
Tsai, C. H., Zhang, S., & Hwang, G. J. (2021). Overcoming barriers in rural digital transformation. Technology and Society Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-20706-8_5.
Yekini, O. T., & Hussein, L. A. (2008). An assessment of the Relevance of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to Agricultural and Rural Development by Research and Extension personnel in South-Western. Nigerian Journal of RuralSociology, 8(1), 79-86. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/AN-ASSESSMENT-OF-THE-RELEVANCE-OF-INFORMATION-AND-t-a/b38027c928ff48ceed4c88f99caa9509873a127e
https://sugarcane.icar.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/3_area.pdf
https://cacp.da.gov.in/ViewQuestionare.aspx?Input=2&DocId=1&PageId=41&KeyId=826
Downloads
Submitted
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Indian Society of Extension Education, Division of Agricultural ExtensionICAR- IARI, New Delhi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
- The manuscripts once accepted and published in the Indian Journal of Extension Education will automatically become the property of the Indian Society of Extension Education, New Delhi. The Chief Editor on behalf of the Indian Journal of Extension Education holds the copyright.
How to Cite
