EFFECTIVENESS OF KRISHOKER JANALA FOR STRENGTHENING AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY SYSTEM

Abstract

Agricultural extension service largely depends on the ‘agent-based’ service delivery model, however ICTs could efficiently be used as an alternative of this traditional approach. However, the question remains unexplained whether an ICT-based application is valued by the farmers as an alternative ways for receiving farming information. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate users’ perceived effectiveness of Krishoker Janala as an ICT-based extension service as an agricultural advisory system. Attempts were also made to identify personal and technological level factors and their effects on users’ perceived effectiveness of ICT-based service. A crosssectional survey methodology was employed. All the blocks of Fulbaria upazila under

Mymensingh district

were selected as the study area. One hundred twenty two (122) farmers were selected as the sample by using proportionate random sampling technique from a population of 525 users who used Krishoker Janala at least once in last cropping year. Data were collected by the researcher himself using a well-structured interview schedule during the period from 20 th December, 2016 to 10 th February, 2017. Data revealed that majority of the respondents (79.5%) perceived ICT-based service like Krishoker Janala as moderately effective as an agricultural advisory system. A multiple regression analysis revealed that education, ICT ownership, ease of use, information richness were found to be significant predictors which altogether explained 51.6% of the variance of perceived effectiveness of Krishoker Janala as an ICT-based extension service. However, extent of ICT use (both general and agricultural purposes) were found to be non-significant to perceived effectiveness of Krishoker Janala as an ICTbased extension service.

The finding indicates while ICT-based service may not be a direct alternative of ‘agent-based’ system, its effectiveness for disseminating timesensitive farming information is promising.