Exploring the Catalysts of Farmer’s Access to Ict for Agricultural Technical Advice: Evidence from Western Uttar Pradesh

Background: This study addresses the challenges faced by farmers in accessing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools for agricultural advice in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Methods: The research involved the analysis of primary data, which was collected from 420 farmers using a structured questionnaire. To assess ICT access, the study employed an ordered logit model, categorizing access into three distinct levels: poor, fair and good. Result: The analysis indicated that factors such as the age, income and higher education levels of household heads have a positive influence on ICT access. On the contrary, variables like group membership and ownership of a Kisan Credit Card were found to negatively affect ICT access. These findings highlight the significant role that specific socio-economic characteristics play in shaping the level of ICT access among farmers in this region.