Dissemination of Agricultural Technologies through Interactive Multimedia Compact Disc (IMCD): An Innovative Approach

Abstract

Farming community in India is normally endowed with fragmented land holdings, containing marginal and small sectors to the maximum, the affordability, accessibility and possibility to travel a long distance and to hunt the information is seldom possible. As the traditional agriculture is transforming into hi-tech agriculture, the need for updated information is also essential for agricultural production and productivity, eventually giving a lucrative yield and income to the farming community. Improved communication and information access are directly related to social and economic development. Considering its prime importance, newness and demand from the farmers, the Farmer Friendly IMCD on 'Integrated Pest Management Practices of Coconut Eriophyid Mite' was developed with the combination of audio, video, visuals, etc., The study was conducted in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu (India) with the sample size of 99 farmers. Effectiveness of IMCD was assessed through three treatments, namely IMCD as a self-learning tool, IMCD through LCD projection as a group learning tool (with interaction) and IMCD through LCD projection as a group learning tool (without interaction). The result indicated that self-learning module resulted in maximum mean knowledge gain followed by others. Further the study result indicated that farmers had positive opinion regarding the utility of IMCD as a tool to solve farmers' problem. Our New Agricultural Policy emphasizes commercialization, value-addition and export of agricultural commodities, besides globalization. In order to achieve this, combination of traditional extension approach, modern information technology blend with integrated approach is required.

Dissemination of good dairy farming practices through interactive educational multimedia module- An innovative approach in farm technology transfer

“…In the research area, developed IEMM on GDFPS were handed over to the concerned department officials for public access.The findings of the study are in conformity with the results reported by Anandaraja (2002), Mooventhan (2006) and Vidya et al (2010).…”

Effectiveness of Mastitis management instructional video on knowledge of tribal farmers in northern hills zone of Chhattisgarh

“…Moreover, the highly significant 't' values once again confirm statistically, the considerable knowledge gain among the farmers due to the treatment. The findings of the study are in conformity with the results reported by Anandaraja (2002), Mooventhan (2006) and Vidya et al (2010).…”

An eAgriculture-Based Decision Support Framework for Information Dissemination

“…Studies have reported a cost effective delivery of agricultural information through community television and radio services (Hassan et al, 2008); Kweku, 2006, cited in Munyua, Adera, & Jensen, 2008Parikh, 2009). CD and DVD usage for delivery of agricultural learning modules have proved to be viable dissemination media (Anandaraja et al, 2009;Pye et al, 2003, cited in Munyua, Adera, & Jensen, 2008Parikh, 2009;Sheriff, 2009). The use of these self learning modules has been found to reduce dependency on technical staff for acquiring new agricultural knowledge.…”