Dissemination of Knowledge at KVKs by Extension Personnel: Extent of Usage of Information and Communication Technology

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an important component of agricultural extension by facilitating timely communication, knowledge dissemination, advisory services, and technology transfer. The study assessed the extent to which extension personnel at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) in Haryana used ICT to disseminate agricultural knowledge. All 19 districts containing KVKs of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University were selected purposively, and the sample comprised 80 extension personnel from the available disciplines. Frequencies, percentages, weighted mean scores, indices, Garrett scores, and correlation analysis were used. Most respondents were aged 29–40 years (56.2%), male (75.0%), Subject Matter Specialists (78.7%), and had 1–5 years of service experience (37.5%). Most held a PhD with NET qualification (97.5%), and agronomy was the most represented discipline (25.0%). The overall extent of ICT use was medium for contacting farmers (WMS = 1.50), solving problems (WMS = 1.48), imparting training (WMS = 1.44), advising farmers (WMS = 1.40), and demonstrating new technologies (WMS = 1.20), but low for preparing media (WMS = 1.09). Telephone or mobile communication, smartphones, WhatsApp groups, computer presentations, multimedia projectors, and video conferencing were among the more frequently used tools for specific extension functions. Age, gender, post held, service experience, and hours of power supply were reported as significantly correlated with all six assessed ICT-use functions. The findings indicate moderate overall ICT use among KVK extension personnel, with media preparation representing the principal area of comparatively limited use.