Credibility of Communication Sources Used by Beel Fishers of Assam, India

Abstract

The floodplain wetlands (beels), extending over one lakh hectare in Brahamputra and Barak river valleys, constitute the most important fishery resource of the North eastern Indian state Assam. In fisheries development role of communication is of paramount importance in transfer of latest technology from research station to the end users. Information about improved technology can be communicated through various media to the fishers and one has to take into account the preference of fishers for the particular information source and media. Out of many media sources fishers (fishermen and women) may use few depending on the credibility of information source and media channels perceived by them.The present study was carried out in 106 floodplain wetlands of 21 districts of Assam and the paper presents data on the floodplain wetland fishers’ preference of selected media and its credibility. The findings revealed that the interpersonal communication sources like consultation with Fisheries Extension Officer/Beel manager & Scientists were treated as the most credible sources for obtaining information on new improved practices. Demonstration of new methods (0.619) and consultation with progressive fishers (0.571) were assigned second and third rank. The study has clearly brought out that the interpersonal communication channels were still important among the floodplain wetland fishers of Assam.The mass media can cover a large area at one time, but it is not supposed to credible enough in comparison to the interpersonal and group communication channels.