Oil Palm Kisan Mobile Message Services - A New Paradigm in Technology Dissemination

Abstract

through mobile message services to the stakeholders’ viz., oil palm growers, officials of State Department of Agriculture / Horticulture, oil palm processors and scientists. A total of 13,834 unique mobile numbers were collected. Seventy two message contents were developed and published two types of messages to mobile numbers viz., 1. Message through Short Message Service (SMS) in text form. A total of 54 text contents were prepared in vernacular languages and sent to 3.12 lakh mobile numbers as SMS with a delivery percentage of 81 per cent. 2. Message in the form of Voice calls with a total of 41 contents were pre-recorded and sent to 3.61 lakh mobile & landline numbers and delivery percentage was 42.9 per cent .Feed back on published SMS and voice messages revealed that majority of the respondents are in the age group of 41-60 years; having young plantations, having 5-8 year old plantations; having secondary education; belong to small and big/large farmers category. Majority of them are receiving the messages; regular in reading/listening the messages. They have indicated that the messages are audible; language is understandable; message is useful; relevant to their crop growth; messages are being discussed/spread and adopting the practices disseminated through SMS/Voice messages. They preferred mode of mobile service through voice or SMS or both; would like to have weekly messages; indicated that messages are accurate, brief and clear. Usefulness of the subjects is as follows viz., irrigation, fertilizer application, and disease management and weed control.