Use of Information and Communication Technologies among Farming Community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

I n Pakistan, many farmers are illiterate, socially excluded and unaware of the latest developments in the agricultural sector. It is not that they are resistant to technology; the fact is that new technologies and necessary support systems were rarely provided to them. Their poverty has led them to various forms of Abstract | Through the utilization of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) tools, farmers can get timely, up-to-date, relevant, accurate technical information and advice and extension agents can effectively answer farmers' abundant information needs. Thus, the present study was conducted to investigate the usage of ICT tools in agricultural extension services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For the study three districts (i.e. Swat, Haripur and Mardan) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were chosen and a total sample size of 400 respondents was selected. Data were collected through pre-tested and validated interview schedule and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study showed that the maximum of the respondents (34.5%) were in the age category of 36 to 45 years whereas, 25.8% of the respondents were illiterate. About 64.5% of the sampled respondents were owner cultivators and almost 40% of the sampled respondents have farming experience of 21 to 30 years. More than half of the respondents (55%) owned mobile, 22.5% of the respondents owned telephone, 52.8% of the respondents owned television and 9.8% of the sampled respondents owned radio in the study area. About, 49.8% respondents were uncertain about the favorable effects of ICTs on production while 14.2% of the respondents agreed about favorable effects of ICTs on production. Krushkal Wallis analysis showed that there was highly significant difference in respondents' perception about the effect of mobile, telephone, television and radio on production. The study suggested that extension agents are required to create awareness of the use of ICTs among the farming communities. Department of agriculture extension needs to establish an ICT based program so that innovative agricultural information might be communicated to the farming community.

Factors Affecting Rural Households Livelihood Diversification in Southern Parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

“…Land fragmentation is also one cause of land scarcity because the land is divided among the offspring, making small units per head. Together, these motives play a noticeable role in adopting the diversified livelihood strategy in rural populations (Shafi & Shah, 2012). Pakistan is a developing country comprising four provinces, namely, Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.…”