Society of Extension Education GujaratPublished: Gujarat Journal of Extension Education (P-ISSN: 2322-0678 & E-ISSN: 3048-9946)
Society of Extension Education GujaratAbstract: These digital extension services empower farm women by providing access to real-time information, enhancing their decision-making capabilities, and enabling them to adopt modern agricultural practices that improve productivity and sustainability. The study investigates the factors influencing the utilization of Digital Extension Services (DES) by farm women in the Southern, Central, and Northern Telangana zones of India. With women constituting a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, their access to and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and empowerment. The study was conducted across eight villages in three districts of Karimnagar, Medak, and Mahbubnagar of Telangana involving 120 women farmers who actively use DES. The research employed a structured questionnaire and open-ended interviews to gather data, which was analysed using the Garrett ranking technique to identify key factors influencing DES usage. The findings highlight that the attributes of ICT, including ease of adoption, affordability, and wider coverage, were critical in influencing women's engagement with digital services. User-friendliness, such as content relevancy and timely information, also played a significant role. Personal factors like interest and ability to use ICTs, along with supporting policy environments, particularly government financial support further impacted DES utilization. Major constraints faced by farm women included limited internet access, low literacy levels, and the dual burden of household and farming responsibilities. These barriers, alongside socio-cultural factors, hindered the effective use of digital tools. The study suggests that while DES and ICTs have the potential to empower women, addressing these challenges through targeted interventions, training, and gender-responsive policies is essential for maximizing their benefits.
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