E-Readiness 4D: An Analysis

Abstract

e-Readiness (electronic readiness) assesses the quality of a country's information communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and the ability of its consumers, businesses and governments to use ICT to their benefit. In the context of agriculture, an effort was made to conceptualise the issue at individual and institutional level. The pre-requisite for incorporating ICTs in agricultural development is e-ready extension educationist (EE), e-ready extension service provider (ESP) and e-ready farmer (EF). The e-ready EEs can cater to the information needs of ESPs and farmers. They can be pivotal agents in transforming the farmer EF. The EF thus can have access to the ‘information’, the key input for agricultural production process. Keeping the issues associated with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and e-readiness, a study was planned with the objective of analysing the extent of e-readiness of KVK functionaries. The extent of e-readiness of the respondents becomes basic indicator of future possibilities. The study was conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Whole enumeration method was adopted. A total of 268 functionaries constituted sample of the study. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to analyse relational perspectives with profile of functionaries of KVKs. The study reveals the readiness of functionaries with respect to five elements of e-readiness. It is evident from the study that 81.06 per cent of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) KVKs were e-ready followed by 78.37 per cent of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) (KVKs) and 75.38 per cent had of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) (KVKs). On the contrary, in case of e-readiness gap, a maximum gap of 24.61 per cent was found in SAU KVKs followed by 21.65 per cent in ICAR KVKs and 18.94 per cent in NGO KVKs. The e-readiness of KVKs revealed that 78.25 per cent were found to be e-ready, and 21.74 are having e-readiness gap.