EXPLORING THE AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION LANDSCAPE OF FARMERS IN SOUTHERN KARNATAKA: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

 The present study has been conducted to understand the
 information behaviour of farmers in Southern Karnataka and to explore
 the preferred farming methods and types of agricultural information
 needed by the farmers, their agricultural information requirements
 in different phases of cultivation; channels preferred by them for
 agricultural information, including the problems faced by them in
 addressing their agricultural information needs. It’s found that the
 farmers are facing problems in accessing agricultural information. They
 need information during growing crops and in buying seeds. Farmers
 are discussing and exchanging their knowledge and information with
 other villagers in seeking guidance, to benefit from others’ experience,
 and to find the best solution to the problems. ‘Friends and colleagues’ is
 the very highly preferred channel for agricultural information. Based on
 the findings study has suggested to Raita Samparka Kendra, agricultural
 extension officers, Krishi Vigyan Kendra to reach the farmers to
 address their problems in accessing the agricultural information and
 Agricultural University Libraries and the Public libraries (located
 regionally) to participate in the programs/initiatives of Krishi Vigyan
 Kendra and Raitha Samparka Kendra and to extend their extension
 activities to the farmers to understand their need and to develop the need
 based information products to disseminate the right information at the
 right time.