INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) MEDIATED EXTENSION SERVICES IN AGRICULTURE IN NEPAL- A REVIEW

Abstract

This study is conducted to know Information and Communication Technology (ICT) mediated extension services in agriculture in Nepal. In this report, different ICT tools that are used for extension of agriculture in Nepal, organizations and divisions working for an extension, extension system of country, benefits and advantages from the use of ICT tools, constraints in the use of ICT tools in agriculture extension and their solutions are included. This report is prepared by studying different journal articles, reports, books and newspapers. Among ICT tools mobile phone is the most used ICT tools by farmers and laptop is the most used ICT tools used by the organizations for data processing. Radio and television are more popular in rural areas. This study shows that most of the ICT users are confined in urban areas. There are many advantages of the use of ICT tools in the field of agriculture. ICT tools can cover a large number of the population with high speed. ICT tools increase productivity, sustainability and efficiency of farms by providing relevant information timely and more easily. ICT tools provide information about quality seeds, transportation, marketing, new technologies and weather condition that facilitate the farmers for making the right decision. There are many agriculture-related mobile applications available at Google play store. These mobile apps give knowledge about cropping methods, crop management practices, crop protection, the market price of inputs and outputs etc. These mobile apps are managed in Nepali language for facilitating the Nepali farmers. Agriculture-related programs are broadcasted through national television channels and FM radio stations. There are technical, socio-economic, institutional and infrastructural constraints that limit the use of ICTs in agriculture fields.