Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka

Virajith Kuruppu; Vihanga Chathuranga

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka

Virajith Kuruppu, Vihanga Chathuranga

Published in International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences (Volume 6, Issue 4)

Received: 12 October 2021 Accepted: 15 November 2021 Published: 24 December 2021

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Abstract

ICT upgrades farmer knowledge thus, enhances overall production and marketing aspects in agricultural systems. However, transferring traditional farmer into new technologies in developing countries is a significant challenge. At present, there have been many ICT tools which introduced to farmers in Sri Lanka. Thus, the central question is whether agro-community is utilizing these different ICT tools in a productive way. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the factors which affect the overall usage of ICT tools of potato farmers in Sri Lanka and their perception on future use of ICT. Primary data was collected from 241 farmers randomly in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts using a pre-tested questionnaire. Correlation analysis was deployed to elicit the relationship between selected socio-economic factors of the farmer and the number of ICTs those farmers have utilized. Results revealed education level (p<0.05, r=0.659), average monthly farm income (p<0.1, r=0.352) and number of crops cultivated (p<0.05, r=0.851) by farmer were positive and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Age (p<0.05, r=-0.7432) and years of experience engaged in agricultural activities (p<0.05, r=-0.254) were negative and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Further, 60% farmers have used internet once a week to gather agriculture related information. Another, 13% have used GPS and only 1% have used e-mail. Even though there have been numerous ICT tools, still ICT literacy of local farmers were not up to the satisfactory level. This implied Sri Lankan agriculture sector is not fully utilizing ICT in agriculture. Perhaps changing the way or mode of delivering of ICT tools may cause positive influence in agriculture. Rather than focusing advanced ICT appliances and tools, it is recommended to exploit the full potential of current ICT appliances and tools to disseminate vital information. Consideration of farmer accessibility of different ICT appliances and tools are much important to decide the next step of agriculture modernization in Sri Lanka.

Published in	International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences (Volume 6, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13
Page(s)	101-106
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Agricultural Information, ICT, Potato Farming

References

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[3]	A. R. Chhachhar, B. Querestic, G. M. Khushk, and S. Ahmed, Impact of ICTs in Agriculture Development. Journal of Basic Applied Scientific Research, 4 (1): 281-288, 2014. http://www.textroad.com/pdf/JBASR/J.%20Basic.%20Appl.%20Sci.%20Res.,%204(1)281-288,%202014.pdf.
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[5]	Batte, M. T. Schnitkey, G. D. and E. Jones, Sources use and adequacy of marketing information for commercial mid-western cash grain farmers, North Central Journal of Agricultural Economics, 12: 2, 187-196, (1990) doi: 10.1093/aepp/12.2.187.
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[7]	C. K. Osondu, G. M. C. Ibezim, Awareness and Perception of Farmers to the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Agricultural Extension Service Delivery: A Case Study of Imo State, Nigeria, Volume 4, Issue 1, ISSN (Online) 2319-1473, 2015.
[8]	C. Osondu, & G. Ibezim, Awareness and Perception of Farmers to the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Agricultural Extension Service Delivery: A Case Study of Imo State, Nigeria. International Journal of Agriculture Innovations and Research, 4 (1), pp. 55-60, 2015.
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[11]	I. Parmar, P. Soni, J. Kuwornu, & K. Salin, Evaluating Farmers’ Access to Agricultural Information: Evidence from Semi-Arid Region of Rajasthan State, India. Agriculture, 9 (60), pp. 1-17, 2019.
[12]	M. C. Shetto, Assessment of agricultural information needs In African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States Eastern Africa Country Study: Tanzania. Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives on behalf of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), 2008. http://icmpolicy.cta.int/filesstk/Tanzania_Final-report-081209.pdf.
[13]	M. U. Habib, M. Z. Khan, M. A. Iqbal, K. H Nawab, S. H. Ali, Role of farmer field schools on sugarcane productivity in Malakand, Pakistan. In African Crop Sci. Conf. Proceedings, 8, pp. 1443-1446, 2007.
[14]	O. A. Olaniyi, Assessment of utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) among poultry farmers in Nigeria: An Emerging Challenge. Journal of Animal Science Advances, 3 (7): 361- 369, (2013).
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APA Style

Virajith Kuruppu, Vihanga Chathuranga. (2021). Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences, 6(4), 101-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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ACS Style

Virajith Kuruppu; Vihanga Chathuranga. Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. Int. J. Inf. Commun. Sci. 2021, 6(4), 101-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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AMA Style

Virajith Kuruppu, Vihanga Chathuranga. Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. Int J Inf Commun Sci. 2021;6(4):101-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13,
  author = {Virajith Kuruppu and Vihanga Chathuranga},
  title = {Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka},
  journal = {International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {101-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijics.20210604.13},
  abstract = {ICT upgrades farmer knowledge thus, enhances overall production and marketing aspects in agricultural systems. However, transferring traditional farmer into new technologies in developing countries is a significant challenge. At present, there have been many ICT tools which introduced to farmers in Sri Lanka. Thus, the central question is whether agro-community is utilizing these different ICT tools in a productive way. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the factors which affect the overall usage of ICT tools of potato farmers in Sri Lanka and their perception on future use of ICT. Primary data was collected from 241 farmers randomly in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts using a pre-tested questionnaire. Correlation analysis was deployed to elicit the relationship between selected socio-economic factors of the farmer and the number of ICTs those farmers have utilized. Results revealed education level (p<0.05, r=0.659), average monthly farm income (p<0.1, r=0.352) and number of crops cultivated (p<0.05, r=0.851) by farmer were positive and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Age (p<0.05, r=-0.7432) and years of experience engaged in agricultural activities (p<0.05, r=-0.254) were negative and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Further, 60% farmers have used internet once a week to gather agriculture related information. Another, 13% have used GPS and only 1% have used e-mail. Even though there have been numerous ICT tools, still ICT literacy of local farmers were not up to the satisfactory level. This implied Sri Lankan agriculture sector is not fully utilizing ICT in agriculture. Perhaps changing the way or mode of delivering of ICT tools may cause positive influence in agriculture. Rather than focusing advanced ICT appliances and tools, it is recommended to exploit the full potential of current ICT appliances and tools to disseminate vital information. Consideration of farmer accessibility of different ICT appliances and tools are much important to decide the next step of agriculture modernization in Sri Lanka.},
 year = {2021}
}

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TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka
AU - Virajith Kuruppu
AU - Vihanga Chathuranga
Y1 - 2021/12/24
PY - 2021
N1 - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13
DO - 10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13
T2 - International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences
JF - International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences
JO - International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences
SP - 101
EP - 106
PB - Science Publishing Group
SN - 2575-1719
UR - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13
AB - ICT upgrades farmer knowledge thus, enhances overall production and marketing aspects in agricultural systems. However, transferring traditional farmer into new technologies in developing countries is a significant challenge. At present, there have been many ICT tools which introduced to farmers in Sri Lanka. Thus, the central question is whether agro-community is utilizing these different ICT tools in a productive way. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the factors which affect the overall usage of ICT tools of potato farmers in Sri Lanka and their perception on future use of ICT. Primary data was collected from 241 farmers randomly in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts using a pre-tested questionnaire. Correlation analysis was deployed to elicit the relationship between selected socio-economic factors of the farmer and the number of ICTs those farmers have utilized. Results revealed education level (p<0.05, r=0.659), average monthly farm income (p<0.1, r=0.352) and number of crops cultivated (p<0.05, r=0.851) by farmer were positive and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Age (p<0.05, r=-0.7432) and years of experience engaged in agricultural activities (p<0.05, r=-0.254) were negative and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Further, 60% farmers have used internet once a week to gather agriculture related information. Another, 13% have used GPS and only 1% have used e-mail. Even though there have been numerous ICT tools, still ICT literacy of local farmers were not up to the satisfactory level. This implied Sri Lankan agriculture sector is not fully utilizing ICT in agriculture. Perhaps changing the way or mode of delivering of ICT tools may cause positive influence in agriculture. Rather than focusing advanced ICT appliances and tools, it is recommended to exploit the full potential of current ICT appliances and tools to disseminate vital information. Consideration of farmer accessibility of different ICT appliances and tools are much important to decide the next step of agriculture modernization in Sri Lanka.
VL - 6
IS - 4
ER -

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Author Information

Virajith Kuruppu

Department of Agribusiness Management, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Sri Lanka
Vihanga Chathuranga

Department of Agriculture and Plantation Engineering, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Sri Lanka

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Virajith Kuruppu, Vihanga Chathuranga. (2021). Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences, 6(4), 101-106. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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ACS Style

Virajith Kuruppu; Vihanga Chathuranga. Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. Int. J. Inf. Commun. Sci. 2021, 6(4), 101-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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AMA Style

Virajith Kuruppu, Vihanga Chathuranga. Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka. Int J Inf Commun Sci. 2021;6(4):101-106. doi: 10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13

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@article{10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13,
  author = {Virajith Kuruppu and Vihanga Chathuranga},
  title = {Factors Affecting the Utilization of Information & Communication Technology (ICT): A Case of Badulla & Nuwara Eliya Potato Farming Community, Sri Lanka},
  journal = {International Journal of Information and Communication Sciences},
  volume = {6},
  number = {4},
  pages = {101-106},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijics.20210604.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijics.20210604.13},
  abstract = {ICT upgrades farmer knowledge thus, enhances overall production and marketing aspects in agricultural systems. However, transferring traditional farmer into new technologies in developing countries is a significant challenge. At present, there have been many ICT tools which introduced to farmers in Sri Lanka. Thus, the central question is whether agro-community is utilizing these different ICT tools in a productive way. Therefore, the objective of this study is to explore the factors which affect the overall usage of ICT tools of potato farmers in Sri Lanka and their perception on future use of ICT. Primary data was collected from 241 farmers randomly in Badulla and Nuwara Eliya Districts using a pre-tested questionnaire. Correlation analysis was deployed to elicit the relationship between selected socio-economic factors of the farmer and the number of ICTs those farmers have utilized. Results revealed education level (p<0.05, r=0.659), average monthly farm income (p<0.1, r=0.352) and number of crops cultivated (p<0.05, r=0.851) by farmer were positive and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Age (p<0.05, r=-0.7432) and years of experience engaged in agricultural activities (p<0.05, r=-0.254) were negative and significant with the number of ICT appliances used by the potato farmer. Further, 60% farmers have used internet once a week to gather agriculture related information. Another, 13% have used GPS and only 1% have used e-mail. Even though there have been numerous ICT tools, still ICT literacy of local farmers were not up to the satisfactory level. This implied Sri Lankan agriculture sector is not fully utilizing ICT in agriculture. Perhaps changing the way or mode of delivering of ICT tools may cause positive influence in agriculture. Rather than focusing advanced ICT appliances and tools, it is recommended to exploit the full potential of current ICT appliances and tools to disseminate vital information. Consideration of farmer accessibility of different ICT appliances and tools are much important to decide the next step of agriculture modernization in Sri Lanka.},
 year = {2021}
}

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