Information technology utilization by agricultural entrepreneurs in Ganjam district, Odisha

Information technology is considered one of the most important modern tools for the success of agricultural business, especially for entrepreneurs. Based on this premise, this study aimed to investigate the factors influencing its utilization among agricultural entrepreneurs in the Ganjam District of Odisha, India. Data was collected from a purposive sample of 48 agricultural entrepreneurs, including mushroom cultivation, cashew processing, and egg layer business. A questionnaire was used, consisting of questions formulated by the researcher and a group of experts in agricultural. A four-point scale was used to obtain a value indicating the level of success in using information technology. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and standard deviation were applied to determine the classification of study variables, while multiple linear regression analysis was employed to identify the key factors influencing the utilization of information technology among agricultural entrepreneurs. The results revealed the presence of three independent variables that significantly affect the dependent variable at a significance level of 5%. These variables include (X3) knowledge, (X10) availability of technical support and training for implementing information technology, and (X13) environmental factors, all of which have a positive impact on the dependent variable (Y). The study may provide key principles for the development of information technology utilization among agricultural entrepreneurs, offering a set of suggestions for researchers and policymakers regarding needs analysis to support entrepreneurs in Ganjam, which can be generalized to include other states in Odisha.