Exploring Cognitive Dimensions of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Use in Agriculture among Rural Farmers in Nagaland, India

Background: Information and communication technology (ICT) plays a crucial role in modern agricultural development, yet its effective utilization among rural farmers remains limited, particularly in remote regions like Nagaland, India. While several ICT tools are available, there is a gap in farmers’ cognitive ability to meaningfully apply these tools in agricultural practices. Methods: A study was conducted from 2022 to 2025 involving 360 rural farmers selected from six districts in Nagaland. Data were collected using structured interviews and focus group discussions. The study assessed farmers’ knowledge across six cognitive domains: remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation along with statistical tools such as pearson correlation, regression and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Result: Findings revealed that while basic awareness of ICT tools (remembering) was relatively high, cognitive skills involving evaluation, analysis, application, and creation were significantly low. Socio-economic factors such as age, education level, and access to information were found to strongly influence the extent of ICT engagement. The study underscores the need for targeted, localized ICT literacy programs that go beyond awareness-building and aim at developing higher-order cognitive skills among rural farmers.