Mobile Advisory Research Articles

Are mobile advisory and face-to-face communication effective for enhancing the capabilities of farmers-evidence from farm science centre

Are mobile advisory and face-to-face communication effective for enhancing the capabilities of farmers-evidence from farm science centre

Assessment of Applicability and Usefulness of the Messages Delivered by Kisan Mobile Advisory Service as Perceived by the Beneficiaries of KVK, Raipur

This study investigates the applicability and usefulness of messages delivered by the Kisan Mobile Advisory Service in the Raipur district of Chhattisgarh. A total of 120 farmers were chosen at random from 10 villages in two blocks, Arang and Abhanpur for the purpose of study. The study reveals that the applicability of messages related to pest management were perceived ‘always applicable’ by 85.84 per cent respondents with highest overall MPS (92.92).Likewise the applicability of messages related to disease management were perceived ‘always applicable’ by 85 per cent respondent farmers with second highest overall MPS (92.5).While the messages related to fisheries were reported least applicable with overall MPS (8). As far as the usefulness is concerned the respondents believed that the messages were useful in improving the agriculture knowledge, Nursery management in different crops, Nutrient management, Increases farm yield while the messages where least useful in Creating awareness about health and hygiene. The overall usefulness of the messages was found to be moderate by 55.84% respondents, most useful by 35% and less useful by 9.16% respondents.

Effectiveness of mobile based SMS in transfer of agricultural technology

Effective communication strategy is need of the hour to enable research results to reach the farmers fields without much time lag. Hence, it is obvious to use modern ways of communication besides traditional methods of communication. KVK, Amadalavalasa has started sending mobile based SMS through WAY 2 SMS to the KVK registered farmers to transfer of agricultural technology since June 2010. Here study was conducted with the objective of studying the effectiveness of mobile based SMS in transfer of agricultural technology. Efforts should be made to disseminate complete and precise information on all aspects of crop and related information for harnessing the possibilities of utilizing the information, The mobile service authorities need to take extra care to streamline the system so as to prepare relevant content for maximum utility by the end users. Hence more concentration should be given on demand and need of the farmer rather than the technology. Leaders are needed for the long haul as interventions that require new infrastructure or policy and institutional reforms take years to complete. Real time agro advisory is need of the hour to cover more number of farmers. Voice messages may be preferable than text messages for covering illiterate farmers. KVKs and other extension functionaries can make new platforms to reach the unreach through mobile advisory.

Usefulness of KMAS as Perceived by The Farmers

Kisan Mobile Advisory Service (KMAS) delivers real-time agricultural information and customized knowledge to improve farmers’ decision-making ability so that they may enable to increase their production and productivity, better aligning the farm output to market demands; securing better quality and improved price recovery in a globally competitive agrarian economy. The study was conducted at Kolar district of Karnataka state. A total of 120 farmers who had registered under KMAS were selected randomly for the study. Ex-post facto research design was used for the study. Usefulness of KMAS was measured by employing the scale developed by Singh (2012) with due modifi cations. Majority of the registered farmers perceived KMAS messages as ‘most useful’ and ‘regularly utilized’ the information sent by KMAS.

Factors Influencing the Utilization Pattern of Kisan Mobile Advisory Service

The research was undertaken on 123 respondents of Banaskantha district of Gujarat state selected through multistage sampling method with the target to establish the relationship between farmer-subscribers’ profile characteristics and their Kisan Mobile Advisory Service (KMAS) utilization pattern. The data was collected using a structured schedule and the respondents were interviewed personally. The information was analysed with mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, multiple regression and stepwise regression for a meaningful interpretation. The multiple regression analysis indicated that the ‘Z’ values of age, education, scientific orientation, extension participation and attitude had essentially accorded in disclosing the variety to the utilization pattern of KMAS. The stepwise regression investigation showed that extension participation was the most (69.80%) impacting attribute for usage of KMAS. As such, these factors ought to be considered while determination of the farmers for execution of extension programmes.

KMAS as a Tool for Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies in Nagaon District of Assam

Development of Agricultural and allied activities can be achieved through various approaches of Information and communication (ICT) tools. Kisan Mobile Advisory system (KMAS) is one of ICT approaches for dissemination of agricultural technologies to the farming community through SMSs. KVK, Nagaon created a registered farmers group and information related to crop production, insect pest control, dairy and poultry farming, fishery and other marketing related information was sent to users in monthly basis for many years. A sample size of 100 registered farmers were selected for the study in order to examine the impact of KMAS for technology dissemination in Nagaon district. With the help of Pretested scheduled with Simple Random sampling data were collected and analyze in percent analysis. The survey showed that majority of the farmers found agricultural information as increase in knowledge (41.00%), partially applicable (73.00%). The overall impact of the KMAS was low About at 55 percent, medium at 38 per cent and high at 7 per cent. Further they suggested that messages on latest technologies should be served flowed by local language, voice messages.

English

English

English

This paper analyzed the impact of mobile advisory and face-to-face communication in capability building of farmers in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, India. These farmers accessed agricultural training and information services through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). KVKs had been established in different parts of the country to enhance agricultural productivity and to promote rural wellbeing. Gigler’s Alternative Evaluation Framework that operationalized Sen’s Capabilities Approach was adapted on evaluating the indicators of economic wellbeing and quality of life of the farmers. Farmers’ perception of effective communication tool for information transfer and the actual usage of communication mediums that had catered to the capability building were analyzed. Although the results showed that face-to-face communication was mostly used by KVK and Short Message Service (SMS) was limited, the combined impact of both media catered for capability building enhancing their productivity for economic wellbeing and quality of life. Key words: Capabilities approach, face-to-face communication, mobile advisory, farmers’ development, Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

Mobile Extension in Enhancing the Livelihood of Farmers in India

This research article is based on an empirical investigation into mobile advisory services co-created by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) and the agriculture farmers' community of the Union Territory of Puducherry, India. It seeks to map pattern of mobile advisory use and its impact on agricultural livelihood vis-à-vis agriculture and animal husbandry. This research article investigates the effectiveness of the agricultural extension tool of mobile phone among farmers in areas of rural in Puducherry, during the years 2010-2013. Investigation with the farmers revealed that innovative dissemination of mobile advisory has improved their agricultural productivity. The mobile audio advisories played a vital role in bridging the knowledge gap and scientific solutions between the scientific and farming communities. This research paper analyses farmers' benefits, gaps in mobile advisory services (MAS), perception of mobile messages, socio-demographic, and socio-economic data. As a result, farmers were able to acquire knowledge and skills relating to their livelihoods and make timely decisions to cope with emerging issues and trends in agriculture to an extent of diversifying their cropping pattern. The audio advisories helped farmers with timely information on agriculture. Mobile advisory has also strengthened the local agricultural extension system where farmers have updated their knowledge and skills. These messages enhanced their knowledge in crop management, latest farming technologies, and agriculture-related government schemes and entitlements, and post-harvest techniques along with care and management of livestock. These skills are very much useful for them to get adapted to changing climate scenarios and to have improved livelihood opportunities.

Assessment of Mobile Advisory Services for Improving Agricultural Livelihood of Farmers in Tribal Dominated District of Madhya Pradesh

Mobile phone based information and communication technologies help to reduce the risks and uncertainties, emerging challenges in agriculture and provides instant solutions, timely market information and improve livelihood and also helps to overcome information asymmetry existing among the group of farmers. In this context, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dhar started timely and need based systematic bulk text message as Kisan Mobile Advisory (KMA) during the year 2011–12 to 2015–16 and registered 26500 mobile holder farmers for sending information in hindi language through short messages (SMS) twice a week on agriculture and allied fields. The study revealed that messages delivered in hindi language were highly understandable to majority of users (83.6%), the expectations of the respondents towards frequencies of messages delivered suggested daily to twice a week (72%) and majority of farmers (97.1%) conveyed the text message to other farmers in their social system. It was also observed that socio-economic profile of the farmers also play an important role in adoption and usefulness of technology dissemination. The analysis showed that majority of medium category farmers (70.67%) having higher level of education found the need based information most useful followed by large farmers (60.32%). The farming community engaged in enterprise such as agriculture + horticulture + dairy found usefulness of information (88.43) followed by agriculture + dairy and horticulture + dairy. In the same way the knowledge level of information of KMA registered farmers was higher than the non-registered. The overall high impact of of messages through KMA services was reported by 71.7 per cent farmers during the study.

Farmers’ Awareness Level about ICT Tools and Services in Karnataka

A study was undertaken to elicit the farmers’ awareness about ICT tools and services in Karnataka. The study was conducted in Koppal district of Karnataka state with 120 respondents. It was found that more than half of the respondents had medium level of awareness on ICT tools and services. Majority of the respondents were aware of mobile advisory services by Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC). Almost twothirds of the respondents were aware of KCC (Kisan Call Centre) service. Slightly less than two-fourths of the respondents were aware of touch screen kiosks. The paper also discusses the awareness level of farmers on many other ICT tools.