Abstract:
Integrating Information Communication Technology (ICT) with Agriculture is
identified as one of the most important tasks in order to achieve sustainable
development in the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. Main objective of this research is
to suggest more suitable and proper approach to empower the Sri Lankan farmers
through ICT. As entry criteria for the main objective there will be a fact finding
session, which measures the current level of ICT knowledge of Sri Lankan farmers,
identify the information needs, pattern of use of ICT and factors that hinder the use of
ICT by the farmers.
The research started with a literature survey to identify the factors that affect the use
of ICT in agriculture sector. A structured questionnaire was used as the research
instrument to collect data from farmers in Southern province. Galle, Matara and
Hambantota districts were selected to collect data and farmers from diversified
agriculture segments were interviewed.
According to the result shown in the survey the farmers are ready to receive
information. They are using ICT equipment mainly for entertainment purposes and
they are not educated about the importance and how they can use ICT for their
agricultural business related activities. The results of the study shows that Television,
Radio, Mobile phone and Land phone are the most popular ICT tools that farmers are
using and willing to use for the personal and business activities. The most highlighted
barrier that discourages farmers using ICT is the fear to embrace new technology due
to lack of knowledge. High cost of the equipment, technology and language limitation
are the other main issues to be addressed in order to introduce ICT to the rural
agriculture community. Results have shown that younger generation is willing to adopt
and interested in the new technology while farmers above 45 years are still prefer the
old system. It is found that information sharing on peer was wide accepted and popular
among the farmers.
It could also be proven that usage of social networking applications specific for the
farmers was highly satisfactory and widely accepted by the farming communities.
The research end-up by recommending the actions to be taken such as conducting ICT
awareness sessions, introducing social media that enables the farmers to communicate
each other, introducing easy payment systems for the farmers to buy ICT tools and
introducing reward system to early adoption of ICT for agriculture related activities
