Abstract

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the research institutions and universities is becoming increasingly prominent because of the potential value of such technologies. ICTs can be used to increase effectiveness and efficiency of extension system. So, in this era of information revolution, the agricultural extension Scientists should be encouraged to use ICTs for extension education. Therefore, the study on “Factors encouraging ICT usage by Agricultural Extension Scientists in North India” was conducted. Factors encouraging ICT usage were categorized under the headings of economic factors, facilitating factors, social and psychological factors and technical factors. Data for the study were collected from the agricultural extension scientists who work in State Agricultural Universities and research institutes under Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in North India through the use of a pre-tested on-line questionnaire. Provision of grants to buy ICTs, availability of sufficient number of ICT tools, sufficient ICT familiarity and expertise and in-service training facilitation for using/producing ICTs were observed as serious factors in the effective usage of ICTs. The Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) result showed that in usage of ICT there was a significant difference between economic factors with facilitating factors and social and psychological factors.  Enabling policies and plans for usage of ICTs for dissemination of agricultural information need to be developed.

Key words: Information, communication, technology, usage, agricultural extension scientist.