Use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Tools in Increasing Income of Tribal Farmers of Karnataka

Abstract

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools play a vital role in accessing the information on agriculture and allied activities most of the tribal farmers of Uttara Kannada district are accessing the information via mobile phones, television and radio. They express their views on ICT tools helps in getting the information on agriculture especially agriculture inputs, fertilizers, use of bioagents, insecticides and also management of pest an diseases in rice, chilli, areca nut and other vegetables, vermicomposting, value addition etc. The study has shown that poor finance facility in buying the ICT tools, lack of confidence in operating, lack of power supply, low network connectivity, lack of awareness of benefits of ICTs, lack of skill in handling ICTs, low ICT literacy, lack of repairing facilities, attitudinal barriers towards ICTs, lack of training and practical exposure, high cost of repairing ICTs and insufficient regional language were the major constraints faced by the farmers in the effective use of ICTs. Since there is an increased penetration in the level of availability and accessibility of ICTs among the farmers of the state, there is a need to ensure that the problems of the farmers are being met in order to enable the farming community derive maximum benefits on better access to information services through the use of ICTs for agriculture and other developmental purposes. This study seems to be the first report on usage of ICT tools by Tribal farmers in Karnataka.