Constraints Experienced by Agricultural Scientists and Extension Personnel in Rice Knowledge Management and its Delivery

Abstract

Rice being staple crop, cultivated in almost all over India. In order to provide probable solution about rice cultivation to all the stakeholders, the Indian Institute of Rice Research, Hyderabad launched Rice Knowledge Management Portal (RKMP). The present study was undertaken with an objective to analyse the constraints experienced by agricultural scientists and extension personnel in rice knowledge management and its delivery. The results showed that agricultural scientists and extension personnel faced technological, social, economical and psychological constraints more severely. Under the technological constraints, lack of updated information and technical and Infrastructure problems while using information and communication technologies (ICTs), poor maintenance of ICT tools were major constraints. In case of social constraints, restriction to promote organization information followed by less networking among extension personnel found to be most limiting factor for using portal information. In case of psychological factors, benefits given to particular group of people was found most severe and techno-phobia was found least affecting to respondents for utilizing information. In case of economic constraints, high cost of internet and cost of computer/smart phones were limiting the use of information provided by RKMP. These findings will help in restructuring and necessary modifications for reaching the unreach for information dissemination and making portal more effective for users to ensure timely and relevant information.