Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Tools by Rural Farmers in Ratnagiri District of Maharastra, India

Abstract

This paper discusses the impact of information and communication technology (ICT) on the access for rural farmers from the Ratnagiri district to agricultural information. A study was undertaken in which more than one hundred randomly selected farmers completed a structured questionnaire to gather information at household level of the use of ICT. Interviews were also conducted with key stakeholders, service providers and government officials. Findings from the study indicated that farmers were most interested in obtaining market price information. Examination of the relationship between use of ICT tools and co factors such as age, qualifications and income indicated that only income was a determining factor of using ICT tools.