Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization  Patterns among Small Ruminant Farmers in West Bengal

Authors

  • Chandra Dhara Division of Extension Education, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Rupasi Tiwari Directorate of Extension Education, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Shikhakriti Negi Veterinary Officer, Uttarakhand Sheep and Wool Development Board, Dehradun-248001, Uttarakhand, India
  • Mahesh Chander Division of Extension Education, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly-243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
  • Triveni Dutt Director & Vice Chancellor, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly- 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.21.5.07

Keywords:

Digital tools, ICT adoption, ICT Utilization pattern, Sheep and Goat, Small ruminants

Abstract

 

India’s increasing demand for livestock products, driven by a 70% non-vegetarian population and rising meat consumption, is expected  to surge by 2050. Meeting this demand necessitates a 3-fold rise in meat production. Small ruminants like goats and sheep are crucial,  especially for landless and small farmers. However, constraints such as inadequate veterinary services, poor market access, and limited  awareness of scientific practices hinder productivity. With the country’s rapid digitalization, ICT tools offer promising solutions. A study of  120 small ruminant farmers in West Bengal found WhatsApp to be the most commonly used tool (100%), followed by YouTube (89.57%),  Face book (82.67%), and Television. WhatsApp was accessed daily by all farmers. However, adoption was limited by high costs (mean  score 79.99), lack of relevant content (60.6), and language barriers (54.59). Despite these challenges, expanding smartphone usage and  affordable data are boosting ICT penetration in rural areas. The study highlights the potential of digital platforms to improve knowledge  dissemination, veterinary services, and market linkages. Strengthening digital infrastructure and integrating AI-driven advisory systems  can significantly enhance sustainable livestock production in India. 

 

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Published

2025-09-02

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 5 (2025): The Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology (IJVSBT) ( Sep-Oct) 2025

Section

Research Article

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Copyright (c) 2025 Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Dhara, C., Tiwari, R., Negi, S., Chander, M., & Dutt, T. (2025). Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Utilization  Patterns among Small Ruminant Farmers in West Bengal. Indian Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Biotechnology, 21(5), 35-39. https://doi.org/10.48165/ijvsbt.21.5.07