Measure Constraints Faced by Farm Women Using ICT Tools by Garett Ranking Method

Abstract

Traditionally the extension services have focused on male farmers. In the last few decades the concern regarding farm women have been raised globally. There is immediate need to equip these farm women with relevant knowledge and skill. It is only possible if appropriate and relevant Information communication technology (ICT) tools are made available to farm women to get information related to agriculture. The present study was conducted in the Udham Singh Nagar district of Uttarakhand state to identify the constraints faced by farm women while using ICT tools. Garrett ranking was used. For this study, respondents were selected by using a Probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling method. To derive the inferences of the study, two blocks were selected for the present study. The study covered four villages & it covered 120 farm women in the selected villages. Data for the study was collected during 2019-20. Primary data was collected from farm women through personal interview method with the help of a pretested schedule. The main personal constraints noticed were lack of preference in using Information communication technology (ICT), lack of training, lack of confidence, lack of motivation and lack of time to utilize Information communication technology (ICT). The main technological constraints were language problem to use Information communication technology (ICT), complex nature of Information communication technology (ICT) restricted availability and restricted accessibility to Information communication technology (ICT) tools. The main cultural constraints were lack of faith in Information communication technology (ICT) tools, traditional belief in the existing system, discouragement from the family and society. The main infrastructural barriers were poor electricity services and poor network connectivity.