Utilization pattern of ICTs among tribal livestock farmers of Telangana state

Abstract

An ex-post-facto research design was followed in the present investigation for which 405 tribal livestock farmers of Mahabubabad, Adilabad, and Bhadhradhri Kothagudem districts, were purposively selected, as they were districts which have significant tribal population in Telangana. The data pertaining to dependent variables viz. availability and accessibility of ICT tools, ICT utilization pattern and perception on ICT tools and independent variables were collected with the help of a pre-tested interview schedule developed for the purpose for assessing the utilization pattern of ICTs among tribal livestock farmers of Telangana state. The relational analysis revealed that availability of ICTs had a significant association with socio-economic status, herd size, economic orientation and information-seeking behavior. When examining accessibility of ICTs, there were positive and significant relationships with socio-economic status, herd size, knowledge on ICT tools, social participation, innovativeness, economic orientation, information-seeking behavior and achievement motivation. These factors collectively contribute to enhancing farmers' ability to access ICT resources. The utilization pattern of ICTs was significantly associated with a range of factors like socio-economic status, herd size, knowledge on ICT tools, social participation, innovativeness, self-confidence, economic orientation, achievement motivation and information-seeking behavior. Regarding perception of ICTs variables viz. socio-economic status, herd size, social participation, achievement motivation, knowledge on ICT tools, innovativeness, self-confidence, economic orientation and information-seeking behavior were significantly associated with perception of ICTs.