ATTITUDE OF THE AICC FARMERS TOWARDS USE OF ICT ENABLERS IN AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine farmers’ attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities. Multistage random sampling technique was used for selection of a sample of 90 AICC farmers from a population of 301 from Rangpur and Dinajpur districts. Data were collected during 02 February to 16 March 2017 by using pre-tested structured interview schedule. Eight selected characteristics of the farmers’ namely: age, educational qualification, family size, farm size, farming experience, annual family income, ICT training received and use of ICT for utilization of farm information were the selected characteristics of the AICC farmers, while the attitude of the farmers’ towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities was the focus issue. Different standard statistical techniques were used to measure the selected characteristics and Likert scale was used to measure the focus issue. Nine statements (4 positive and 5 negative) on various aspects of use of ICT enablers in agricultural activities were used for the attitude scale. The positive and negative statements were arranged alternatively in the schedule in order to achieve the real picture of attitude of the farmers. There were five options to response a statement, namely ‘strongly agree’, ‘agree’, ‘no option’, ‘disagree’ and ‘strongly disagree’ with a corresponding score of 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, respectively for the positive statements and the scoring was reversed for the negative statements. The majority (80.0 percent) of the AICC farmers had highly favorable attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities compared to 12.2 percent had low favorable attitude and 7.8 percent had neutral attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities. Correlation analyses indicated that age, educational qualification, family size, farm size, ICT training received and use of ICT for utilization of farm information had positive significant relationships with farmers’ attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities; while the farming experience had significant negative relationships with attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities; and annual family income had no significant relationship with farmers’ attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities. So, it may be concluded that farmers have positive attitude towards using ICT enablers in agricultural activities. Government and other development non-government agencies should emphasize ICT enablers during extension services at farm level.