Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Abichar Bohara Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University Corresponding Email: [email protected]

Abstract: Strategic implementation of ICT in agriculture information dissemination requires decision making on suitable ICT tool and level of usage of ICT in the implementation area. This research sought to find the priority of influential attributes that should be considered while implementing ICT in agriculture information dissemination. Suitable ICT alternative and priority of multiple attributes were found out from multi criteria decision making (MCDM) method called Analytic Hierarchy Process. Similarly the level of ICT usage was found from farmers’ survey of four Village Development Committees of Gulmi District. Based on the findings from MCDM process and farmers’ survey, an implementation framework was proposed for using ICT in agriculture information dissemination in Gulmi district. From the experts’ importance level, community radio was identified as the most suitable for agriculture information dissemination followed by television, mobile, call centers and internet kiosks/web portals. Infrastructural support was identified as the most influential criteria for implementing ICT in agriculture information dissemination followed by technical, socio-economic and cultural criteria. On the other hand it was identified that highest almost 96 percent of the farmers possess mobile followed by radio, television and internet. Almost 50 percent of the respondents indicated that they have an internet user in their house. The likert scale analysis (on importance level of 5) was performed among farmers and it was identified that technical criteria was the most influential criteria for using ICT in agriculture information access. At the same it was observed that usage of modern ICT equipment such as computers, internet kiosks or mobile phones for agriculture information dissemination was very low at institutional or governmental level. The study indicated that highest number of farmers sell maize and buy rice. The farmers also indicated that transportation and market information was the major problems faced while trading agriculture commodities. Schools and Colleges were identified as most influential sub criteria by experts out of 15 such sub criteria. Similarly ICT centers were rated as high importance sub criteria by farmers. All the findings from AHP and that from survey have been incorporated to develop an implementation framework for agriculture information dissemination for Gulmi district which is the primary objective of this paper. Keywords: Strategic Planning; Agriculture Information Dissemination; ICT; AHP; Farmers’ survey

Introduction responsibility. AICC is a professional wing of the Ministry of Agriculture Development entrusted to Information is considered as one of the most vital produce agricultural information relevant to farmers, resources for development. The main challenge of our traders, entrepreneurs and professionals and to age is not producing information or storing communicate the information through Radio, information, but getting people to use information Television and Print media. The Center also bears the (Ommani & M, 2008). Timely availability of relevant additional responsibility and challenge of managing information is vital for effective performance of and using digital information generated recently by the managerial functions such as planning, organizing, growing application of personal computer, internet and leading, and controlling (Ommani & M, 2008). mobile telephone in modernizing agricultural Information and knowledge are two of many development in the country. In spite of the significant significant factors for rural development. Realizing the efforts made by extension system, however, there are growing importance of information in agricultural still several problems and issues that require attention development, the Agriculture Information Section to perform its function more efficiently and effectively. (AIS) became operational in 1965 as a separate unit in One of the major challenges for agricultural extension the Department of Agriculture in Nepal. This section system is how to serve the majority of rural poor and was renamed as Agriculture Communication Division socially disadvantaged groups who had long been (ACD) in 1990. In course of restructuring of the neglected by extension and other services (Sharma N. Ministry of Agriculture Development in 2000, it was K., 2011). Other problems are inadequate linkage given its current name of Agricultural Information and among research and extension, education, farmers and Communication Center (AICC) and was attached to the other stakeholders, poor infra-structural development, Ministry as one of its central units with greater role and insufficient number of extension personnel etc. to

61

carter diversified agricultural services (Sharma N. K., that most of the systems and approaches adopted have 2011). definitely contributed to the evolution of the extension system, but none could sustain the needed momentum The existing knowledge and information management in the long run (Agri. Business and Trade Promotion system does not embrace regular experimentation, Multi-Purpose Co-operative Ltd, 2007). reflection and learning for the improvement in the service delivery system in agriculture in Nepal. There Dissemination of information along with new concepts are several good practices visible with farmers groups and farming techniques can bring novel opportunities which are published and broadcast through radio and to the farmers (Khanal, 2011). The study done by television programmes but are seldom internalized and Jenkins and his contemporary in northern California replicated (FAO, 2010). A framework for managing has shown that the mass communication has provided and using digital information for agriculture much useful knowledge related to agriculture and the information dissemination by creating a strong linkage experience was quite meaningful (Khanal, 2011). between research, extension, education, farmers and There are, however many challenges on delivering other stakeholders which will serve the majority of agriculture information. Shortage of qualified rural population is the major challenge of agriculture agriculture officers/experts is one of them. People may extension service of Nepal. ICT for rural development, live in scattered communities in rural areas. The environment and rural development is not a new issue current market demands the workforce with diverse in Nepal. Since ICT encompasses traditional radio to knowledge over the specific knowledge. Such modern day smart gadgets, approaches of ICT challenges encourages the use of ICT for information implementation for agriculture information dissemination as it requires less human resources and is dissemination are significant in case of Nepal. able to cater larger area or community in terms of agriculture information access. Need All these factors and issues discussed above have highlighted many criteria which should be considered It is usual to have a strategic planning before or at the least have some significance in decision implementing any technology. The strategic planning making process of ICT implementation for agriculture for the selection of suitable and effective ICT for information dissemination. To fulfill the information agriculture information dissemination should include need of the agriculture practitioners and farm the information or contents that farmers seek for. communities through the use of ICT equipment (which Strategic planning of ICT implementation includes is the desired-end state of AICC), a strategic planning decision making about the most suitable form of is required taking into account the socio-economic implementing elearning on different levels (Divjak & status of the farmers, cultural challenges, technical Begcevic, 2006). Agriculture Information and challenges and the infrastructural support In the Communication Center (under Ministry of Agriculture holistic approach the success of integrating information Development, Nepal) in their Organizational Objective and communication technologies into the agriculture have stated “To fulfill the information needs of system largely depends on the skill and knowledge of agricultural practitioners and farm communities farmers, the infrastructure on with information and through the use of modern information and communication technologies depend and the ability communication technology” as one of their strategy for and willingness of the learners. So it is utmost agricultural information dissemination. But the necessary to develop a decision model which will strategic plan of implementing ICT as a medium is incorporate farmers, infrastructure, environment, vague in the actual practice as there are many factors or content of information and manpower for deciding criterion which needs consideration before decision which alternative strategy is suitable for implementing making. Radio and television still dominates the ICT e-learning. usage for information dissemination. Decision making on implementing ICT for agriculture information dissemination depends on many factors such socio- Significance of the study economic conditions of the area, cultural factors, This study aims to define a framework for the strategic technical factors and infrastructural support factor to planning for using ICT in agriculture information name some. Hence there is a need for the strategic dissemination to farmers in Nepal. Information and planning of ICT implementation. Agriculture extension communication technologies will be utilized to deliver is an integral component for agriculture development. information in easily understandable formats to rural Many extension systems and approaches were adopted groups. Nepalese farmers and their families may in the past. Donor assisted projects had their own thereby become aware of the usefulness of information model of extension approaches and methods. It is a fact

62 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

and communication technologies for enhancing their Light and Fisher Farmers Mobile Access initiatives access to the information that will assist them to (Anurag & Kumar, 2012) found that farmers are more improve productivity and enhance the sustainability of comfortable with voice mode than text mode because their farming. of the problem of illiteracy/ language barriers. In most of the cases the information provided is one way and While information supporting agriculture production from top to bottom. Similarly they also found that and processes is provided by different government illiteracy among farmers is one of the major drawbacks organizations, NGO, INGO and private organizations for accessing information through the Internet. The in Nepal, the farmers are not being able to exploit the major problem was the lack of farmers’ database (farm advantages of ICT for information access. Learning and farm details) which resulted in the poor new techniques and more profitable agricultural coordination between farmers and experts. A study by production methods through using ICT tools may (Babu, Glendenning, Kwadwo, & Govindarajan, 2012) encourage farmers to adapt their practices and to on farmer’s information need and search behavior improve their agricultural processes. Disseminating concluded that farmers are rarely consulted about their agricultural information effectively to farmers in needs and preferences before the design of information formats that they find easy to use will be a suitable dissemination system. These study indicate that approach for this study. In order to do so, research implementation of ICT along is not adequate enough to activities including data collection, data analysis, ensure timely and relevant information. The framework development and actual field information need of the farmers and their perception of implementation are necessary. This study may inspire different factors should also be accounted for designing and encourage Nepalese farmers to acquire valuable ICT enabled information dissemination system. A information and eventually adapt their rural lifestyle. study done by (Chauhan, 2010) on the famers’ As a result, farmers’ livelihoods may be enhanced and perception about ICT implications indicated that 95 agriculture will become more sustainable. percent of the respondents preferred Panchayat building as the choice for Community ICT Center. Problem Statement Similarly the respondents also ranked Government on top for bearing the expenses of Community ICT Center Information and communication technologies hold followed by village Panchayat, Co-operative Dairy and tremendous potential for rural development in Nepal in by collecting charges from user. Such perceptions of the areas of agriculture, health, education and famers clearly indicate that there could be differences industries. The productivity in agriculture is largely in prioritizing the decision variables by farmers and attributed to availability of relevant and timely experts. The perception on the criteria (economic, information to farmers. The modern society demands cultural, technical and infrastructural) of farmer is intervention of ICTs in agriculture information solely individualistic but the same of the experts is dissemination rather than traditional methods. The generalized to a location or group of famers or a planning of information dissemination through the use farmer’s community. This paper also sought to explain of ICTs would require decision making on the suitable and analyze the differences that exist between farmers’ framework for information dissemination. The choice of information dissemination system and that of information dissemination model should incorporate all experts’. the factors that are associated with the process of disseminating agriculture information. The availability In spite of the advantages of implementing ICTs for of ICT equipment at farmers’ end, the infrastructural agriculture information dissemination, farmers are support of the location and the information need of the unable to get the benefits out of it. This problem that farmers significantly alters the decision of suitable ICT this paper is trying to address is the lack of suitable alternatives for information dissemination. The impact ICT framework for disseminating relevant and timely of ICT based agriculture information system in the information to famers. A framework that takes into neighboring countries and those far off have shown account the socio-economic conditions of the farmers, significant improvement in the farming practices and cultural beliefs of the farmers, technical barriers and productivity. In India for example, information infrastructural support is of uttermost important for exchange by electronic means has revitalized the role selection of suitable method of agriculture information of extension services in providing information, dissemination. The framework should also incorporate education and decision-making assistance to the linkage between research and extension for agricultural producers. (Boateng, 2012). But according authenticity and long run supply of information. to (Anurag & Kumar, 2012) there still exists a gap on the information provided and need of the farmers. While studying IFFCO Kissan Sanchal Ltd., Market

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 63

Objectives Limitations The primary objective of this study is to contribute to The study was limited to Gulmi District in Nepal. development of a strategic planning model for Therefore, it may not be appropriate to generalize the implementing ICT in agriculture information results to whole country. The perception on ICTs and dissemination in Gulmi District, Nepal. its effectiveness differ from farmer to farmer and that is accountable to many factors/criteria. It was expected The specific objectives of this study are given below: that language was a limitation in this study. This is  To investigate the ICTs currently implemented because the questionnaire was designed in English and for agriculture information dissemination. during the survey, the items were translated into Nepali for farmers and their responses translated back to  Review the key facts and major trends English for data analysis. As such, this may have concerning the problem and identify factors caused loss of information during the process. that influence the selection of suitable ICT alternative for agriculture information dissemination. Literature Review  To identify alternatives, criteria and subcriteria In Nepal some subsectors such as dairy processing, for modeling the decision making process poultry, tea, vegetable seed and fisheries show dynamism, but overall, these positive signs are not yet  To understand farmers’ perception on the sufficient to lift a large number of people engaged in importance of decision variables and construct agriculture out of poverty and make a dramatic dent in a model based on the findings. reducing malnutrition and assure food security of the nation (Goletti, 2013). At present Nepalese agriculture Research Questions has to address several issues and challenges emerging around mainly due to the changing context. One of the The central research question of this study may be emerging areas is the organic farming (Directorate of specified as follows: Agriculture Extension, 2006). Conventional agriculture  What are the important criteria and subcriteria system has accepted the higher use of agro-chemicals that influence decision making of and chemical fertilizers in our agricultural practices in implementing ICTs for agriculture information order to increase the crop production and productivity dissemination? (Directorate of Agriculture Extension, 2006). Knowingly and unknowingly, several agro-chemicals  What could be the best suitable alternative and nitrogenous fertilizers have been used by farmers method of disseminating agriculture beyond the discipline of recommendations made by information? concerned agencies which have accelerated the animal  Is there any difference between experts’ and and human health hazards (Directorate of Agriculture farmers’ perception on decision variables that Extension, 2006). Majority of the farmers are unaware construct the decision support model? of pesticide types, level of poisoning, safety precautions and potential hazards on health and environment. According to the latest estimate, the Research Hypothesis annual import of pesticides in Nepal is about 211t a.i. with 29.19% insecticides, 61.38% fungicides, 7.43% The following hypotheses were thought of herbicides and 2% others (Sharma, Thapa, Manandhar,  From experience in other countries, it is Shrestha, & Pradhan, 2012). Limited access of hypothesized that there is a significant information on weed control has led to intensive tillage difference in farmer’s perception of decision for weed control. Mostly, tillage leads to depletion of variables and expert’s perception of decision organic matter and proneness to erosion in inclined variables in implementation of ICT for geography (Baral, 2012). Inefficient marketing service agriculture information dissemination. in agriculture sector is another problem where farmers are getting low price while the consumers are paying  There is a significant relationship between high price. The marketing margin is higher in the farm farmers’ possession of ICTs and his perception to wholesale market as compared to the wholesale to on the effectiveness of ICTs for agriculture retail market (Shrestha, 2012). According to (Shrestha, information. 2012) the marketing cost, wholesale price of rice, retail prices of rice, and market information to the farmer

64 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

significantly influence the marketing margin. Different specifically, ICT has been considered as an effective forms of media like radio, telephone, television and tool for educational transformation through improved publications should help disseminate the market teaching learning process making learning horizon information regularly (Shrestha, 2012). He also wider (Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, suggested that policies should be focused especially on 2013). the farm to wholesale marketing services such as The advantages of telephones and mobile phones lie in transportation, handling, packaging, and milling to the adaptability and capability of transferring both data reduce the marketing margin. In the hills of Nepal, the and voice at gradually decreasing cost. For example the practice of intercropping is common, particularly mobile based Agri Advisory services (through text, amongst smallholder farmers who have to optimize voice or video message) farmers of Kerala can get their their use of limited land. Additionally, supplies of answers on mobile phones. The project has made external inputs are limited due to poor access to certain positive impacts, such as ‘Kissan Kerala’ has transportation and the physical barriers imposed by improved the extension and communication living in a mountainous terrain. The long duration of competence among the Departmental officers. Timely maize at mid- and high hill altitudes (typically 125 to assistance by the ‘Kissan Kerala’ programme, 135 days at 1200m to 2000 m above mean sea level) agricultural production has increased, thus, attracted makes it difficult to grow sequential crops (Prasad & the youth and women for agricultural sector (Banerjee, Brook, 2005). The features of Nepalese agriculture are 2011). As an information platform to receive text unique in the sense of its complex nature of farming messages – SMS or voice-message information –, systems that are intertwined among the multiplicity of mobiles provide the ability to get connected to new enterprises of crops, livestock, poultry, vegetables, knowledge and information sources not previously fruits, spices, fisheries, agro-forestry and non-timber available with the possibility of real-time, highly forest products. To this day, majority of the Nepalese tailored information delivery (Mittal & Mamta, 2012). farmers produce what they consume and consume what According to (Mittal & Mamta, 2012) most of the they produce (FAO, 2010). farmers reported that they use mobile phones mainly Despite the fact that ICTs are becoming increasingly for social communication but later they have universal, the question of access and usage remains increasingly started using it to get connected with important—especially for developing countries, given people like traders and other farmers who have their need to narrow the digital divide (Bilbao-Osorio, agricultural activities related information. Most of the Dutta, & Lanvin, 2013). According to the report “The small farmers reported that there is some increase in Global Technology Report 2013” published by World convenience and cost savings from using their mobile Economic Forum, Nepal is ranked at 126 out of 144 in phones as basic communication devices to seek Networked Readiness Index 2013. Deloitte in its report information, such as input availability or on market ‘Global Mobile Tax Review 2006-2007’ estimates that prices. Some other benefits which farmers listed were with every 10% increase in mobile penetration, the that farmers benefited from improved access to GDP growth increases by 1.2%. This proven fact information including seed variety selection, best makes it all the more necessary why poor and cultivation practices, protection from weather-related underdeveloped countries like Nepal need to work damage and handling plant disease (Mittal & Mehar, much harder for the development of telecom sector 2012). The complexity in the process of generating and (Nepal Telecommunications Authority, 2010). Use of delivering relevant content in the real challenge. In Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) fact, the most frequent criticism that farmers in India in education has been considered as one of the had regarding information provided through mobile strategies to achieve the broader goals of education phone services was that the information was generic (Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, 2013). and was considered old and routine (Glendenning & Similarly, The IT Policy (2067), SRRP (2009-2015) Ficarelli, 2012). Similarly gap analysis by (Anurag & and Three Year Plan (2011-1013) of the GON have Kumar, 2012) found that in most of the mobile based included some policies and strategies in order to initiatives both text message and voice message should develop and integrate ICT in education (Government be provided. It was also found that farmers are more of Nepal, Ministry of Education, 2013). ICT in comfortable with voice mode than the text mode education has been identified as an innovative and because of problem of illiteracy/language barriers. In effective means of teaching and learning. Students of most of the cases the information provided is one way schools in urban areas have easier access to ICT and from top to bottom (Anurag & Kumar, 2012). whereas those students who are studying in remote Dissemination of information through the mobile areas have hardly any access to these technologies, alone is not sufficient; it should compile with other which eventually is creating a digital divide. More extension services e.g. follow-up visits by the crop

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 65

experts coupled with quality farm inputs (Anurag & relevant and useful agricultural information Kumar, 2012). A study by (Jayathilake, Jayaweera, & (Tantisantisom, 2012). Farmers in India use e-Choupal Waidyasekera, 2008) indicates that usage of mobile one of the portals to setting up a kiosk network that phone is very common in tea and poultry sector. The provides mediated access to them. use of mobile phone is high compared to other ICT application such as Internet, WWW, e-mail and DSS. Low cost ICTs for agriculture information needs such Research Design/Methodology as mobile phones have promising usability for As per the nature of study, both qualitative and increasing agricultural productivity and farming quantitative methods have been used. The lack of ICT practices (Jayathilake, Jayaweera, & Waidyasekera, implementation plan in agriculture information 2008). dissemination was recognized as one of the central For geographically remote locations, connectivity decision problems. Based on these problems a goal of through computer networks may be an appropriate way strategic planning for implementing ICT in agriculture to provide information to farmers. For example, each information dissemination has been set. Rigorous village centre could communicate with the outside literature review was done to find out criteria and sub- world, nearby villages, other countries or other criteria for the decision making of suitable form of continents, via several types of communication tools, implementation of ICT in agriculture information such as dial-up telephone connections, wireless dissemination. The research examined the level of networks or a satellite communication system called using ICTs, socio-economic, cultural and technical very small aperture terminal (VSAT) (Tantisantisom, challenges affecting the use of ICTs and thus the 2012). The Internet’s popularity, its efficiency in dissemination of agricultural information. The study is communication and the reducing price of hardware focused on farmers in , , Khadgakot have resulted in the implementation of Internet and Thulo Lumpek of Gulmi District. Decision making connectivity in several projects such as the iKisan.com on the suitable ICT-enabled alternative was done using project, the TARAhaat project and the e-Choupal ExpertChoice (Version 11.5) software. Similarly the project in India (Tantisantisom, 2012). ICT enables priorities for criteria and sub-criteria have also been set vital information flows by linking rural agricultural using the same. Farmers’ survey of 196 was carried out communities to the Internet, both in terms of accessing find the information need and level of usage of ICT for information and providing local content (Jayathilake, information access. The findings were incorporated in Jayaweera, & Waidyasekera, 2008). In Philippine there the implementation framework. The selected criteria are lots of portals, e-commerce applications and and subcriteria were also prioritized by farmers. The innovative technologies use to provide relevant Table below shows the model for strategic planning for agricultural information in country specifying the rural using ICT in agriculture information dissemination. areas specially, e- AGRIKultura, e-Consortia, e-Farm The variables have been constructed from different & KAgriNet place a major role among them literature on agriculture information dissemination. The (Tantisantisom, 2012). In Thailand a multi-lingual justification for the selection of criteria and subcriteria Internet portal, Agricultural Information Network has been done through literature review which has been (AIN) enabling Thai farmers, field officers, policy- included in the section below. makers and government to communicate and access

66 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

Figure 1: Research Design

which needs consideration for implementing ICT for Findings and Data Interpretation agriculture information dissemination in any location. Similarly Technical Constraints, Socio-economic Ranking of Criteria and Sub Criteria challenges and cultural challenges were subsequently ranked by the experts. Schools and colleges in From the experts’ survey it was identified that particular was most prioritized by experts among all infrastructural support is the most influential criteria the sub criteria what were compared.

Figure 2: Ranking of Criteria by experts

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 67

Figure 3: Normalized Priority of Sub Criteria by experts

Sensitivity Analysis alternatives or two levels of only objectives. If you think an objective might be more or less important than The purpose of our sensitivity analyses is to originally indicated, drag that objective's bar to the graphically see how the alternatives change with right or left to increase or decrease the objective's respect to the importance of the objectives or sub- priority and see the impact on alternatives. For objectives. Each sensitivity analysis can be performed example, as the priority of one objective increases (by from the Goal or from a selected objective or sub- dragging the bar to the right) the priorities of the objective. In all cases, there must be at least two levels remaining objectives decrease in proportion to their below the selected node. These levels can be original priorities, and the priorities of the alternatives comprised of at least one level of objectives and are recalculated.

Figure 4: Sensitivity Analysis

Ranking of Criteria and Sub Criteria by Farmers followed by Socio-economic conditions, cultural challenges and infrastructural challenges. The table 1 Along with priority set by experts, farmers’ perception below represents the same. Table 2 represents the on the importance of constructed criteria and sub ranking of 15 sub criteria where ICT centers have been criteria were also analyzed and found that technical perceived as the most influential sub criteria for challenges are the most influential criteria. It was agriculture information dissemination.

68 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

Table 1: Ranking of main Criteria by farmers implementing ICT for agriculture information dissemination. SWOT analysis helps decision makers Rank Priority of Criteria decide whether the objective is attainable or not, given 1 Technical Challenges the SWOT analysis. 2 Socio-economic Conditions The aim of the SWOT analysis in this research paper is to identify the key internal and external factors that are 3 Cultural Challenges important to achieving the objective of ICT 4 Infrastructural Support implementation for agriculture information dissemination in Gulmi. The internal factors may be viewed as strengths and weakness while the externals Table 2: Ranking of Sub Criteria factors may be viewed as opportunities and threats. Most of the internal factors have been derived from Rank Sub Criteria observation and statistical inferences with few from 1 ICT centers literature review. Similarly for external factors (opportunities and threats) literature review and 2 Skilled technicians observation are the main sources of the information. 3 Telecommunication All the factors stated below are analyzed from the 4 Education level perspective of implementing ICT for agriculture 5 Income of the Family information dissemination which is the objective for SWOT analysis. 6 Road 7 Information Packaging STRENGTHS 8 Schools/Colleges Following are the strengths of Gulmi District for 9 Electricity implementing ICT in agriculture information dissemination. 10 Beliefs 11 Methods of Dissemination  According to the Ministry of Local Development’s Minimum Conditions and 12 Farm size Performance Measures (MCPM) assessment, 13 Political and Institutional Leadership Gulmi was the 4th-best-performing district in 14 Law Nepal in 2010/2011 (Root, 2014). 15 Gender  According to (Root, 2014) the 3 or 4 political parties in Gulmi are viewed to be relatively cooperative. SWOT Analysis  Well-equipped District Agriculture SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to Development Office at Gulmi with 4 technical evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and sections (Planning, Plant Protection, Threats involved in a project or in a business venture. Agricultural Extension and Horticulture). It involves specifying the objective of the business DADO Gulmi has 6 Agriculture Service venture or project and identifying the internal and Centers (ASC) and a total of 47 employees external factors that are favorable and unfavorable to and running agriculture development programs achieve that desired end-state (objective). SWOT in all 79 VDCs (Government of Nepal, 2014). (Strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analysis has proved to be a general tool at the preliminary  All the four VDCs under the study were stages of policy making and strategic planning of an connected via road. Literature review indicate organization and at a later stage as well, while that analyzing the performance and planning for further  Statistical findings indicate that almost 75% of development and progress of the organization (Sharma the farmers (respondents) fall in the age group & Singh, 2010). This research paper intends to define of (20-50) years old which indicate the an implementation framework of ICT for agriculture strength of farmers’ capability of receiving information dissemination. Hence to achieve this agriculture information at faster rate. objective, SWOT analysis has been used to analyze the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of  Statistical findings also indicate that maximum Gulmi district with regards to the objective of numbers of farmers are educated with few

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 69

exceptions (around 3 percent). This represents  From the observation if was found that there is the ability of farmers to grasp agriculture lack of ICT equipments at DADO Gulmi for information. agriculture information dissemination.  More than 66 percent of the farmers  According to (FAO, 2010) frequent transfer of (respondents) have farming experience of trained human resources and placement not in more than 10 years which also indicate the accordance with “the right man in the right strength of Gulmi district for agriculture place” has been identified as the one of the information dissemination. weaknesses of agriculture extension. Hence lack of skilled human resources has also been  More than 95 percent of the farmers possess identified as weakness for implementing ICT mobile phone which indicates the strength of for agriculture information. possibility of the two way communication for agriculture information access.  Availability of relevant content for information dissemination.  Availability of radio with more than 80 percent of the respondents indicates the  Transportation has been identified as the major strength of mass communication of agriculture weakness as few vehicles ply. The findings of information. Similar is the case with television the research also indicate that most of the which is available to more than 67 percent of farmers, around 60 percent reported that lack the farmers. of vehicles and market has been a major issue for commercialization.  50 percent of respondents know or have someone in the family who knows how to use  There are all together 5 FM stations including internet for information access. Radio Nepal’s FM relay station that broadcast agriculture information but are seldom WEAKNESS internalized and replicated according to (FAO,  Almost 40 percent of the farmers responded 2010). the yearly household income of less than OPPORTUNITIES Nepalese rupees 180,000 and 27 percent responded the yearly income of above Nepali  Improving market access rupees 180,000 and below Nepali rupees  Capacity Building and empowerment 360,000. This indicates the weakness of lack of buying power of the modern ICT  Enhancing agricultural production equipments for agriculture information access.

 Almost 87 percent of the farmers have farm size of less than 10 ropanis. This indicates that THREATS most of the farmers of Gulmi are engaged in  Changing socio-economic characteristics of subsistence farming rather commercial. the farmers is a threat because the targeted  Around 50 percent of the farmers do not know population (famers) is viable to change their how to use internet. Lack of internet usage income generating activities. capability of farmers indicates the weakness of

implementing ICT for agriculture information  Policy interventions due to political and dissemination. institutional leadership  Farmers’ perception of ICT  Around 65 percent of the farmers reported that they were not associated with any farmers’  Lack of support and funding for future group. The same has been identified as development weakness as (Agri. Business and Trade Promotion Multi-Purpose Co-operative Ltd,  Weak coordination among related departments 2007) stated that farmers’ group approach has and ministries as reported by (FAO, 2010) has been found highly effective in many cases also been identified as the weakness for particularly in information and technology implementing ICT for agriculture information dissemination. dissemination.

70 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

Conclusion and Recommendations  Socio economic challenges such as income level significantly influenced the availability of ICTs in The purpose of this study was to develop a decision disseminating agricultural information. The support models for strategic planning. The decision findings indicated that farmer’s perception of the support models as shown in the above chapter have importance of different ICT’s for access of been constructed by experts’ and farmers’ survey. The agriculture information significantly differed on area of study was Gulmi District, Nepal. Hence this the availability of ICTs. Hence it can be concluded chapter presents the conclusions and recommendations that strategic planning of ICT implementation for suitable for implementing ICT for agriculture agriculture information dissemination should information dissemination in Gulmi District of Nepal. consider the socio-economic status of the farmers The decision support model as reported from the expert for effective information dissemination. survey (by use of AHP) is not generic to any location. Hence, this expert’s model will also support the  Cultural factors such as laws, beliefs, political and decision making process for implementing ICT for institution leadership significantly influenced the agriculture information dissemination. use of ICTs in disseminating agricultural information. This is because people had difficulties Conclusions in moving from the logic of perceiving the world based on oral tradition and the physical proximity Based on the findings of the study it can be concluded of objects, places and persons, to a logic in which that: the world is converted into texts, files and  There is an immense potential in using ICTs for windows that are closer to the idea of virtual disseminating agricultural information, thereby reality. allowing small scale farmers to share knowledge  Farmers’ survey indicates that technical challenges and experience through radio, TV stations, mobile, significantly influenced the use of ICTs in print media, tele-center and other ICT driven disseminating agricultural information. The communication devices. Around 96% of the findings indicated that limited ICT centers and respondents possess mobile phone. The most lack of skilled technician are the major issues that appropriate tool in disseminating agricultural need immediate attention. Poor methods of information in Gulmi district in Nepal is mobile communication and packaging of information are phones since majority of farmers have access to it the technical challenges influencing dissemination and it is affordable. of agricultural information. The findings indicated  The strength of radio as a tool for agriculture lie in that if hardware and software are user-friendly, its ability to reach illiterate farmers and provide then they might be adopted successfully for the them with information relating to all aspects of delivery of course materials. In addition lack of agriculture production in a language they compatibility in ICT with individual needs may understand. Statistically, majority of farmers have negatively affect the individual’s ICT use. access to radio too. Findings indicate that 82.1% of  The experts have prioritized infrastructure support the respondents possess radio. Hence it can be for dissemination of agriculture information concluded that a community radio station which followed by technical challenges, socio-economic promotes the participation of the community conditions and cultural barriers at the end. (territorial or geographic) in this radio will be an Farmers’ survey indicated that technical challenges effective usage of radio as ICT for agriculture are the top priority challenges that they face. information dissemination. Hence it can be concluded that there is a  The findings indicate that around 67% of the significant difference in assessing the importance respondents have access to television. The of many challenges/criteria for decision making by availability of the television is highly accountable farmers and experts. to economic conditions. Literature review  It was identified from the survey that most of the indicated that the effect in the productivity of VDCs of Gulmi district was connected via road agriculture sector is contributed highly by the with few exceptions. All the four VDCs under the information provided through television as a study were found to be connected with road and regular program or a documentary movie too. social services like drinking water, communication Hence it can also be concluded that agriculture and electricity were available. According to information should also be available in video (Central Bureau of Statistics, 2007) 57 VDCs were format for effective usage of ICTs. connected via road. Hence it can be concluded that

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 71

availability of infrastructural support in Gulmi the farmers have television for information access. district might have caused the difference in Similarly, the survey indicated that around 70% of famers’ priority list compared to that of experts. the farmers rated video format as effective format for information dissemination. Hence it is Recommendations recommended that agriculture information be The following general recommendations were made disseminated through radio and television too in based on the findings of the study. the respective format.  On the basis of 9 experts survey results, AHP  The survey results indicate that most of the farmers based decision model was constructed for making ranked information on diseases and their solution decision on suitable ICT to be implemented for as high priority information content. On the other agriculture information dissemination. hand they ranked video format as effective format Infrastructural support that includes road, of information dissemination. Hence it is electricity, transport and schools/colleges was recommended that a suitable video demonstrating recognized as the most influential criterion for ICT the types of diseases and their solution will be an implementation. At the same time it can be effective use of ICT for agriculture information. identified as the weakness of most of the  Trade (buy and sell) information from the survey information system, since strategic planning of results indicated that more than 80 percent of the ICT information systems has been systematically farmers sell wheat followed by millet, potato, neglecting. Hence it is recommended that any maize and other (vegetable and livestock). Hence it planning of ICT implementation in agriculture is recommended that information of disease and its information dissemination should consider the solution with market price information of the crops availability of infrastructural support such as road, mentioned above be given through mobile, radio electricity, transport and schools as the first and television with priority to mobile as most of priority. the farmers have access to it.  On the basis of 196 survey results of farmers and  The findings indicate that for long term supply of performed frequency and skewness analysis, information, the system should be owned by the technical challenges were most influential. At the government. Hence it is recommended that same time it was identified that lack of adequate ownership must be given to Nepal Government for ICT equipped information centers and skilled sustained information system. technician for agriculture information dissemination was the weakness of Gulmi District. Strategic implementation framework of ICT in The decision support model as constructed from agriculture information dissemination for Gulmi experts’ survey indicated that community radio District will be an effective ICT implementation for From the literature review it has been found that agriculture information dissemination. From the information and communication technologies have findings it is recommended that radio programs become popular and effective in India and neighboring that include participation of the local community countries for agriculture information dissemination. will be an effective ICT implementation. Study The research indicated that farmers’ information needs indicated that there is just a single community can be addressed by the combination of push pull radio station in Gulmi district. It is therefore technologies such as mobile phones, radio, television recommended to utilize the same radio station for and internet. Keeping in mind the availability of the information dissemination. ICT equipment present at farmer’s premise,  The successful implementation of ICTs in information need of the farmers and decision making agriculture information dissemination largely criteria for ICT implementation, the following depends on the availability of the ICT at the multimodal ICT dissemination system has been farmers’ end. The study found that 95.4% of the recommended. There is requirement for an integrated farmers have access to mobile phones. Hence it is approach which would address information needs in recommended to utilize the applications (voice, using ICT applications. short message and interactive voice response) of This framework could be implemented and maintained mobile phone for information dissemination under the supervision of government agricultural purpose. bodies, such as the Department of Agricultural  The study also indicated that more that 80% of the Extension or the Ministry of Agriculture, or run by farmers have access to radio and more than 67% of academic institutes, such as agricultural colleges or

72 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

departments of agriculture in universities, which are will be responsible for addressing farmer’s queries and sources of accurate and credible agricultural the queries will be recorded in the central system for information. The framework below is developed from future analysis. the statistical findings, observations and the success stories of ICT implementation in neighboring Domain: Agriculture (Maize) countries. This framework is a composite system for The findings indicate that most of the farmers are delivering on time farm information to farmers through engaged in agriculture domain with few in horticulture push and pull technology. It uses a combination of the and animal husbandry. Hence this framework will Internet, basic phones, smart phones and IVRS for primarily focus on the agriculture domain. The findings disseminating information, and has a centralized indicate that out the common agriculture commodities database containing multimodal content. The major (Rice, maize, millet, barley, wheat, potato and oil features of the system are: seeds), maize is sold by almost 44 percent of the farmers followed by others* (vegetables, livestock and Web, mobile and IVRS based system dairy products) and potato. Hence the content of the The findings indicate that 50 percent of the households information will focus mainly on maize. have member who can use internet. Similarly 95.4 percent of the farmers possess mobile and are more ICT Center for agro learning management comfortable with audio and video information rather The findings indicate that lack of ICT center is a major text. Hence the proposed strategic framework will be issue for information access through ICT media. The composed of an integrated system of web application, findings also indicate the ICT centers have been mobile (voice) and interactive voice response (IVR) prioritized by farmers as one of the important system. subcriteria of technical challenges to be considered for agriculture information access. Hence ICT center is Multimodal content format (audio, video and text) also considered as a major component in the proposed This research sought to find the mode of information framework. The ICT center located at the research that is comfortable with the farmers. The findings areas will serve as training and learning platform for indicate video format is preferred more than video agriculture domain especially of maize. With the followed by text mode. introduction of ICT center, the capacity building of the farmers or the users is anticipated. The ICT center will Multilingual offer an on time multimodal solutions to Gulmi farmers The proposed framework will have the features of irrespective of functional literacy, language and other accessing information in Nepali, local language and socio-economic conditions. English language. The findings indicate that farmers This research attempted to build a system that offers an have preferred Nepali language over local language on time multimodal solution to Gulmi farmers followed by English. irrespective of their geographical location, functional literacy and language. Increasingly, ICT initiatives are Multi-platform: web based backend and a mobile required to prove their effectiveness through more interface and IVRS for the frontend sophisticated, technology driven methods. This paper The strategic framework for ICT implementation in seeks to introduce the Strategic framework as an agriculture information will have a central component inexpensive, fast and robust information dissemination based on web backend and will be integrated with system for farmers and farming organizations operating mobile and IVRS at the frontend. The central system in Gulmi. The strategic framework would be able to also consists of call center as the experts have deliver benefits to farmers more effectively in both prioritized call centers as one of the suitable online and offline modes vis-à-vis a traditional web or alternatives for information dissemination. Call center mobile based application.

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 73

Figure 5: Strategic framework for ICT implementation for agriculture information access in Gulmi District

Chauhan, N. M. (2010). Farmers' Perception about ICT References Application :A Case study of Gujarat state. Indian Res. J. Ext. Edu. Abdon, B., Raab, R., & Ninomiya, S. (2008). eLearning for Cook, J., Kalu, I. L., & Adhikari, D. L. (2012). Preparation of international agriculture development: Dealing with the Nepal Agricultural Development Strategy. challenges. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Directorate of Agriculture Extension. (2006). Proceedings of a Technology (IJEDICT), 4(1), 80-94. First National Workshop on Organic Farming. Directorate of Agriculture Extension. Agri. Business and Trade Promotion Multi-Purpose Co- operative Ltd. (2007). The Impact Study on Farmer's Divjak, B., & Begcevic, N. (2006). Imaginative Acquisition of Group Approach Adopted in Agricultural Extension Knowledge - Strategic Planning System of Nepal. FAO. (2010). Agriculture Extension Services Delivery System in Anurag, T. S., & Kumar, S. (2012). Interactive Information Nepal. Pulchowk: Food and Agriculture Organization of Dissemination System: Architecture for Disseminating the United Nations. Information to Farmers. Information Technology in Food and Agriculture Organization. (2011). E-learning Developing Countries. Methodologies, A guide for designing and developing e- Anurag, T. S., & Kumar, S. (2012). Interactive Information learning courses. Dissemination System: Architecture for Disseminating Glendenning, C. J., & Ficarelli, P. P. (2012). The Relevance of Information to Farmers. Content in ICT Initiatives in Indian Agriculture. Babu, S. C., Glendenning, C. J., Kwadwo, A.-O., & Government of Nepal. (2014, 05 26). About Us. Retrieved from Govindarajan, S. K. (2012). Farmers’ Information Needs District Agriculture Development Office Gulmi: and Search Behaviors. International Food Policy Research http://dadogulmi.gov.np Institute. Government of Nepal, Central Bureau of Statistics. (2012). Banerjee, A. (2011). THE ICT IN AGRICUTTURE: National Populatio n and Housing Census 2011 (National BRIDGING BHARAT WITH INDIA. Global Media Report). Government of Nepal, National Planning Journal – Indian Edition/ISSN 2249-5835. Commission Secretariat, Central Bureau of Statistics . Baral, K. R. (2012). Weeds Management in Organic Farming Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education. (2013). ICT in through conservation agriculture practices. The Journal of Education Master Plan 2013-2017. Ministry of Education. Agriculture and Environment. Central Bureau of Statistics. (2007). District Profile of Gulmi.

74 Strategic Implementation of ICT in Agriculture Information Dissemination: A case of Gulmi District

Jayathilake, ,. H., Jayaweera, B. P., & Waidyasekera, E. C. Siraj, M. (2012). A model for ICT based services for agriculture (2008). ICT Adoption and Its’ Implications for Agriculture extension in Pakistan. Rawalpindi: CABI South Asia. in Sri Lanka. Tantisantisom, K. (2012). Information Dissemination for Kalinga, E. A. (2008). Development of an Interactive e-Learning Farming Communities in Thailand. Management System (e-LMS) for Tanzanian Secondary School. Blekinge Institute of Technology. United Nations Development Programme. (2013). Human Development Report 2013. New York: United Nations Khanal, S. R. (2011). Role of radio on agricultural development: Development Programme. A review. Bodhi: An interdisciplinary Journal.

Meitei, L. S., & Devi, T. P. (2009). Farmers information needs in rural Manipur: An Assessment. Annuals of Library and Information Studies. Ministry of Higher Education, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (2009). E-Learning and Distance Education. Riyadh. Mittal, S., & Mamta, M. (2012). How Mobile Phones Contribute to Growth of Small Farmers? Evidence from India. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture, 227-244. Mittal, S., & Mehar, M. (2012). How Mobile Phones Contribute to Growth of Small Farmers? Evidence from India. Quarterly Journal of International Agriculture. Musa, N. S. (2011). CHALLENGES OF USING INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES TO DISSEMINATE AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION TO FARMERS IN SUDAN. Pazek, K., & Rozman, C. (2005). APPLICATION OF ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS IN AGRICULTURE. Porcari, E. (2010, 8 21). Why communication and knowledge sharing in our Megaprograms? Retrieved from ict-km: http://ictkm.cgiar.org/2010/08/21/why-communication- and-knowledge-sharing-in-our-megaprograms/ Root, C. (2014). Agricultural Service Responsiveness in Nepal. NC: RTI International. Saravanan, R. (2013). ICTs for Agricultural Extension in India: Policy Implications for Developing Countries. Sejuwal, K. (2014, 2 14). e-Agriculture project boon to Surkhet farmers. Retrieved from Republica: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=ne ws_details&news_id=69596 Sharma, D. R., Thapa, R. B., Manandhar, H. K., Shrestha, S. M., & Pradhan, S. B. (2012). USE OF PESTICIDES IN NEPAL AND IMPACTS ON HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment, 13. Sharma, D., & Singh, V. (2010). ICT in the Universities of the Western Himalayan Region of India II: A Comparative SWOT Analysis. IJCSI International Journal of Computer Science Issues, 62-72. Sharma, N. K. (2011). Country Paper on National Agriculture Extension Systems in Nepal An analysis of the System Diversity. Lalitpur: Nepal Economic, Agriculture & Trade (NEAT) Activity. Shrestha, R. B. (2012). FACTORS AFFECTING PRICE SPREAD OF RICE IN NEPAL. The Journal of Agriculture and Environment.

Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2014 75