12-Title: Utilization pattern of ICT tools and social media platform among the livestock farmers of the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh
Authors: Vivek Khandait, Amit Singh, Sanjeev Kumar Singh, Umashankar Rawat and Sandeep Dhenge
Source: Ruminant Science (2024)-13(2):255-258.

Abstract

How to cite this manuscript: Khandait Vivek, Singh Amit, Singh Sanjeev Kumar, Rawat Umashankar and Dhenge Sandeep (2024). Utilization pattern of ICT tools and social media platform among the livestock farmers of the Braj region of Uttar Pradesh. Ruminant Science 13(2):255-258.
Abstract
This study examines the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in livestock farming, with a focus on usage of ICT tools and social media platforms being used by livestock farmers in Agra and Aligarh divisions of Uttar Pradesh, India. With the growing accessibility of the internet, especially in rural areas, ICT has become crucial in improving productivity, communication, and resource management in animal husbandry. The research involved a random sample of 80 livestock farmers, each possessing at least two livestock units and utilizing ICT tools for accessing information. Data was collected through direct interviews to assess the ownership and frequency of ICT tool usage. Results reveal that television and mobile phones, particularly smartphones, are universally owned and frequently used by all respondents, highlighting their critical role in daily communication and farming operations. However, ownership of other ICT tools such as radios (6.25%) and laptops (10.00%) remains low. The results also depicted that all respondents use their mobile phones daily, indicating smartphones as an essential and integral part of their daily lives. In case of social media uses, WhatsApp and YouTube are used daily by all respondents. This study underlines the importance of ICT in bridging the gap between farmers, researchers, and extension agents, ultimately contributing to improved livestock management and production. The findings demonstrate the need for expanding access to more advanced ICT tools and fostering their adoption to enhance the growth and sustainability of the livestock sector.
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