Utilization pattern of e-extension modules among veterinarians in the south zone of Telangana

Introduction

Livestock is a vital component of India's agricultural economy and serves as a key source of income, nutrition, and employment for millions of rural households. The livestock sector contributed approximately 30.23 per cent of the agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and about 5.50 per cent of the total national GVA in India in 2022-23 (DAHD, 2024-2025) [2] . Veterinarians play a central role in ensuring livestock health, disease prevention, productivity enhancement, and food safety. Continuous skill upgradation and capacity building of veterinarians are therefore essential. However, conventional capacity building programmes face challenges such as high costs, limited outreach, time constraints, and inadequate follow-up (Kumar et al. 2016) [9] . In recent years, the advancement of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has transformed the delivery of extension and training services. ICT-based "e-Extension" modules including mobile applications, video modules, web portals, multimedia digital content, and interactive expert systems offer innovative ways for veterinarians to access need-based information anytime and anywhere (Anwar & Dhara, 2022) [1] . These www.extensionjournal.com digital tools enable interactive, self-paced learning and can enhance decision-making by providing real-time data and expert knowledge. Previous studies have also reported the potential of ICT-based approaches in improving veterinary capacity and extension service delivery (Kumar et [9, 6, 4, 3] . In Telangana, the Department of Animal Husbandry and P. V. Narsimha Rao Telangana Veterinary University have initiated various e-Extension programmes to enhance outreach and provide on-demand expert guidance to veterinary professionals. However, there is limited empirical evaluation of how effectively these digital tools are being utilized and contributing to capacity building among veterinarians in Telangana. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to study the utilization pattern of e-Extension modules of among veterinarians of south zone in Telangana.

Materials and Methods

The study was conducted in Telangana State, which was stratified into Northern, Central, and Southern Telangana zones. The present study was confined to the Southern Telangana zone, comprising Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet, Wanaparthy, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Nagarkurnool, Rangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, Vikarabad and the state capital region of Hyderabad. A Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling method was adopted for selection of the respondents. The population consisted of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons (VAS) working in the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department of Telangana State. Of the total 885 VAS working in the state, 363 were from the South Zone, from which 123 respondents were selected. Within the zone, respondents were selected through simple random sampling using the list of Veterinary Assistant Surgeons obtained from the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department. The utilization pattern of e-Extension modules was operationally defined as the extent to which veterinarians accessed, handled and used e-Extension modules for professional activities and livestock advisory services. It was studied under two components, namely handling and utilization. Handling was assessed based on respondents' preference for different e-Extension modules. Nine modules were considered, namely mobile apps, websites, web portals, webinars, social media platforms, video modules, expert systems, MOOCs and digital manual. Responses were recorded as Most Preferred, Preferred and Not Preferred and expressed using frequencies, percentages, weighted mean score and ranking. Utilization was assessed based on the frequency with which respondents used e-Extension modules for obtaining information related to professional work, diagnosis, treatment, advisory services and consultation. The frequency of utilization was recorded as Frequently, Occasionally and Never, with scores of 3, 2 and 1, respectively. The results were expressed in terms of frequencies and percentages. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered through online mode. The questionnaire was shared with the respondents through WhatsApp in the form of Google Forms. The collected data were coded, tabulated and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, total weighted score and ranking. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS Statistics version 16.0.

Results and Discussion

Handling

Mobile applications secured the first rank with a TWS of 305. Under this category, 47.97 per cent of the respondents reported them as most preferred, while 52.03 per cent considered them preferred and none reported them as not preferred. Social media platforms occupied the second rank with a TWS of 290. The highest proportion of respondents (62.60%) considered them preferred, followed by 36.59 per cent who reported them as most preferred, while only 0.81 per cent did not prefer them. Webinars secured the third rank with a TWS of 281. Among the respondents, 43.90 per cent considered them preferred, followed by 42.27 per cent who reported them as most preferred, while 13.82 per cent did not prefer them. Digital manuals ranked fourth with a TWS of 264. More than half of the respondents (51.22%) considered them preferred, followed by 31.71 per cent who reported them as most preferred and 17.07 per cent who did not prefer them. Web portals occupied the fifth rank with a TWS of 246. The most preferred category accounted for 37.40 per cent, while 32.52 per cent each reported them as preferred and not preferred. Websites secured the sixth rank with a TWS of 243. Among the respondents, 37.40 per cent considered them preferred, followed by 32.52 per cent who did not prefer them and 30.08 per cent who reported them as most preferred. Video modules occupied the seventh rank with a TWS of 241. About 39.02 per cent of the respondents considered them preferred, while 32.52 per cent did not prefer them and 28.46 per cent reported them as most preferred. MOOCs secured the eighth rank with a TWS of 193. A majority of the respondents (60.98%) did not prefer them, while 21.14 per cent considered them preferred and 17.89 per cent reported them as most preferred. Expert systems received the ninth rank with a TWS of 184. The highest proportion of respondents (66.67%) did not prefer them, followed by 17.89 per cent who considered them preferred and 15.45 per cent who reported them as most preferred. The observed trend might be because mobile apps were preferred more as they provide information in a simple, quick and user-friendly manner and can be easily accessed during field work. Social media platforms might have been used more because they allow rapid exchange of information, discussion with peers and timely updates. A considerable preference for webinars could be due to opportunities for direct interaction with experts and learning about recent developments, while digital manuals may have been preferred as ready reference material for technical guidance. In contrast, expert systems and MOOCs might have been less preferred because they could be perceived as less familiar, time consuming or not as convenient for immediate field level needs compared to other commonly used digital sources. These findings are partially in line with Kumari (2020) [7] , who reported high preference for WhatsApp and other social media platforms, and Kumar and Naik (2025) [8] , who highlighted that internet-based sources were the most preferred information sources (Table 1 The findings showed that the utilization of e Extension modules varied according to the type of module and the information requirement of the veterinarians. Mobile applications, social media platforms, web portals, webinars and video modules were utilized more actively, particularly for information and activities directly related to routine veterinary and advisory work. This indicated that the respondents were making greater use of modules that supported their immediate information needs. In contrast, expert systems, MOOCs and television showed comparatively lower utilization across most of the information requirements. Their limited use was particularly evident for activities involving expert interaction, farmer consultation, training and access to livestock related information. The overall pattern suggested that veterinarians were more inclined towards e Extension modules that were actively used in their professional and extension activities, while modules with comparatively limited utilization remained less used. These findings are in line with the findings of Panda et al. (2018) [11] and partially in line with the findings of Shivalika et al. (2026) [16] .

Conclusion

The study concluded that e Extension modules had become useful digital resources for veterinarians in the South Zone of Telangana, particularly for meeting immediate professional and advisory information needs. Among the different modules, mobile applications emerged as the most preferred medium, followed by social media platforms and webinars, indicating a clear inclination towards digital sources that were easily accessible, interactive and convenient for field level use. The utilization pattern further showed that mobile applications, social media platforms, web portals, webinars and video modules were actively used www.extensionjournal.com across a wide range of livestock related information needs, with their use being particularly prominent for farmer advisory and consultation, government schemes, expert interaction, online training, research updates and livestock market information. In contrast, expert systems, MOOCs and television recorded consistently high levels of nonutilization, while websites showed relatively limited engagement. Overall, the findings demonstrated that veterinarians tended to favour digital platforms that provided quick access, practical information and opportunities for interaction. Strengthening the content, accessibility and user orientation of these preferred e Extension modules, while improving awareness and ease of use of less utilized platforms, could further enhance their contribution to veterinary professional development and livestock extension service delivery in Telangana.

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