IMPACT OF USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT) BY THE FARMERS OF SADAR UPAZILA UNDER GAZIPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has already been established as a potential tool for agricultural development not only in Bangladesh but also all over the world. This study was intended to describe the selected characteristics of the farmers, assess the impact of using ICT by them and examine the contribution of the selected characteristics of the farmers to the impact of using ICT as perceived by them. The impact was measured using Difference-in-Difference method of impact assessment considering study and control group to measure the impact minimizing spill-over effect. Data were collected from 96 study group respondents selected from the intervention area (proportionately from Khundia, Digdha and Shukhundi villages of Sadar upazila under Gazipur district) in purposive sampling method. Data were also collected from 32 control group respondents selected from the control village Baldha using purposive sampling method. The changes in yield of cereal crop (Boro rice), yield of vegetables, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops by the respondents were measured from 2012 to 2014 in case of both study and control groups. Although the Boro rice yield increase was higher in study group (6.58%) than control group (3.32%), the difference was insignificant as a hailstorm took place before the harvesting period of Boro rice. The increases in yield of vegetables, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops by the respondents were significantly higher in study group (vegetables yield: 5.15%, agricultural income: 13.15%, number of adopted new varieties: 182.58%) than the control group (vegetables yield: 4.24%, agricultural income: 10.63%, number of adopted new varieties: 78.63%). It was also observed that the respondents’ age, level of education, effective farm size, use of ICT media in agriculture, farming experience, agricultural knowledge and problems faced in using ICT media in agriculture had significant contribution to the impact of using ICT by the farmers. It may be concluded that by ensuring market price and minimizing natural disaster affect, use of ICT media in agriculture may play a significant role in increasing the yield of Boro rice, yield of vegetables, agricultural income and number of adopted new varieties of agricultural crops by farmers. It may recommend that the Bangladesh government should take initiative for more practicing ICT media in agriculture, reconsider lack of ICT facilities and ensure more educational and training facilities for the farmers for a sustainable agricultural development.