Information sourcing and utilisation by fish farmers of Tripura State in north-east India

Abstract

Information is the key resource for right decision making process by farmers. Effective delivery of information to farming community has remained a challenge for agriculture extension. Understanding information usage pattern by farmers is of paramount importance. The present study was carried out in Tripura Sate in north-eastern India to identify different sources of information available to fish farmers, its order of preference, extent of use of such sources and the factors determining its usage. Panchayat has emerged as the prominent local source of information, followed by fish seed dealers/hatchery owners, friends and relatives. Meetings and discussions are the most frequently used cosmopolite source of information. Farmers use television, newspaper and radio as mass media source in decreasing order of preference. Among the socio-personal factors, education, income and aspiration had positive and significant relation with utilisation of information sources. A more proactive role from line departments, Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other information providers is emphasised in order to accelerate the usage of cosmopolite sources of information.