Present and prospective role of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in bridging the information gap regarding livestock production technologies among female farmers of Okara district, Punjab-Pakistan

Abstract

Livestock production is a prophetic and noble profession that provided food and clothing from histories to human being. It is contributing significantly in economic growth and development of Pakistan. Population of the country has been growing exponentially that demands for more food production. Farm females are integral part of livestock farming as they have partaken in this profession from ancient times. They perform all the activities of livestock management, like fodder cutting and feeding of animals; cleaning the sheds; medication; milking and milk processing; marketing; and dung cake making. These tasks take plenty of their time in a day. Farm females rely on their indigenous knowledge which is the main reason of low production and has produced an information gap between their existing and recommended knowledge for livestock production. It may be due to their low access to information and communication technologies (ICTs). Use of recent ICTs is a miracle in global life. Livestock production in modern world is not only mechanized but also the use of ICTs is indispensible. Modern farm management practices fully utilize ICTs resources. But in Pakistan, the study country, poor farm females have neither education/awareness nor finances to get access to these sources which have resulted in information gap regarding livestock production. Considering above mentioned facts regarding information gap and its impact on production, the present study was planned to find out the information gap among farm females and to suggest measures to minimize it. From the province of Punjab, district Okara was purposively selected due to its maximum livestock population and intensive research work relating to livestock production. It consists of three tehsils i.e. Okara, Depalpur, and Renalakhurd comprising 89 rural union councils (RUCs). Randomly 27 (30%) RUCs were selected proportionately, 09 RUCs from tehsil Okara, 13 from Depalpur and 05 from Renala Khurd tehsil. One village from each union council was randomly selected. Twelve respondents (female livestock farmers) were selected through purposive sampling technique depending on their active participation in livestock activities. All the Veterinary Assistants (27) of Livestock Production Research Institute (LPRI), Okara who were directly involved in field activities in Okara district were also interviewed to gather data. Mixed research method was used in present research plan which contains both quantitative and qualitative paradigms. The research design used for this study was “The Explanatory Sequential Design” which consists of two distinct consecutive phases i) Quantitative ii) Qualitative. In phase I quantitative data were collected through pre-tested and validated interview schedules and were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). In phase II qualitative data were taken through focus group discussions. Two focus groups for each category of respondents were conducted. Analysis of data showed that about 40% of the respondents were young aged (≤ 30 yrs), below matriculate and married. About one-third of the respondents had monthly income up to 4000 Rs. Information gap was found in vaccination against diseases and calf/kid care and management. Regarding availability of ICTs; highly negligible number (1.5, 4.6 and 3.4%) of the respondents had availability of ROICT (newspapers, magazines and books) respectively, whereas one-third (33.3%), and less than one-fifth (18.5, 14.8%) of the respondents had access to OICTs (TV, telephone and radio), respectively. In case of MICTs, less than one third (29.9%) of the respondents had availability of mobile phone for getting livestock information. None of the respondents had access to internet. Pertaining to effectiveness of ICTs, 14.9% of the respondents perceived ROICT as highly effective, one-third (33.3%) of the respondents perceived OICTs as highly effective and two-thirds majority (66%) of the respondents perceived MICTs highly effective in getting livestock information. In case of prospective role of ICTs, 5.9, 54.7 & 26.6% of respondents had high aspirations regarding prospective/future role of ROICTs, OICTs and MICTs, respectively. Concerning relationship between demographic attributes and effectiveness of ICTs, age had highly significant relationship with effectiveness of OICTs while non-significant relationship was found with ROICTs. It was suggested from the study that information gap should be bridged through education and training of both female farmers and VAs arranged by Government. Credit should be provided by Government to purchase and utilize these ICTs. Female farmers and VAs should update their knowledge and skill through effective utilization of these ICTs. ICTs centers should be established at union council level to transfer information.