Utilisation behaviour of information sources by paddy farmers of rice exporting regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states

Introduction

Agricultural information plays a crucial role in enhancing farm productivity, improving decision-making, and ensuring sustainable farming practices. In the context of paddy cultivation, farmers rely on diverse sources of information to gain knowledge about weather patterns, pest control, fertilizer application, irrigation techniques, and market trends (Aker, 2011) [1] . The availability and accessibility of information significantly influence farmers' adoption of new technologies and best practices, ultimately affecting their yield and income levels (Mittal & Mehar, 2016) [3] . The sources of agricultural information for paddy farmers range from traditional methods, such as fellow farmers, extension officers, and agricultural input dealers, to modern digital platforms, including mobile applications, social media, and online advisory services (Sulaiman & Van den Ban, 2000) [6] . While traditional sources remain relevant due to personal trust and ease of access, technological advancements have led to increased reliance on digital and mass media sources (Meera et. al, 2004) [2] . However, the effectiveness of these sources depends on various factors, including literacy levels, technological accessibility, socioeconomic conditions, and institutional support (Reddy, 2019) [4] . Farmers rely on multiple sources for acquiring agricultural information, ranging from traditional interpersonal networks to modern digital tools. Traditional sources include fellow farmers, local input dealers, progressive farmers, agricultural extension officers, and mass media such as radio and television (Sulaiman & Holt, 2002) [5] . Understanding the utilization behaviour of paddy farmers in accessing and applying agricultural information is essential for designing effective extension strategies and information dissemination models. This study aims to analyse the information utilization behaviour among paddy farmers of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states in the rice export regions. The findings will contribute to policy recommendations for improving agricultural extension services, the study will also contribute to the formulation of policies aimed at bridging the digital divide and strengthening agricultural extension networks to support sustainable paddy farming practices suitable for export standards.

Objective of the study

To study the utilisation behaviour of information sources by www.extensionjournal.com paddy farmers of export regions of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh states.

Methodology

Research design: Ex post -facto research design was adopted for the investigation.

Locale of the study: This study was conducted in the Nizamabad and Nalgonda districts of Telangana and East Godavari and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh in rice export regions, which are among the top paddy producing districts of their respective states, two states were selected to study the difference among utilisation behaviour of information sources by the paddy farmers of both states.

Sampling procedure 40 farmers from each district were selected purposively, with good experience in paddy farming, therefore 80 farmers from Telangana and 80 farmers from Andhra Pradesh states were selected making a total of 160 farmers from both the states.

Data collection method:

The Data collection was done with the use of a well-structured interview schedule and Questionnaire.

Results and Discussion

From table.1 it can be interpreted that in the personal localite category, family and friends are the most frequently used source of information by farmers (65% in Telangana, 68.75% in Andhra Pradesh) followed by Neighbours (47.5% in Telangana, 51.25% in Andhra Pradesh), and Local Leaders (28.75% in Telangana, 31.25% in Andhra Pradesh). The high utilization of family and friends suggests that information is often passed down generationally, which may limit exposure to GAP-Good Agricultural Practices recommended for exports, Farmers trust firsthand experiences and prefer direct, informal advice from those they know. The strong cooperative farming culture enables knowledge-sharing among neighbours, particularly in Godavari delta regions where farmers jointly manage irrigation canals. The lower reliance on local leaders indicates a decline in their role as primary sources of agricultural guidance. From the above results, it is evident that the majority (61.88%) of farmers of both states had medium utilisation behaviour of information sources, followed High (16.25%) and Low (21.87%) utilisation behaviour of information sources.

The results are in line with the findings of Meera et. al (2004) [2] .

Conclusion

The study on the utilization behaviour of information sources by paddy farmers in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh reveals a strong reliance on personal sources (family, friends, and neighbours) for agricultural information.

References

1. Aker JC. Dial "A" for agriculture: A review of information and communication technologies for agricultural extension in developing countries. Agricultural Economics. 2011;42(6):631-647.