CHALLENGES AND ROADBLOCKS IN INFORMATION FLOW
Farmers typically face following challenges in receiving timely and personalized information:
Farmer has to travel to offices of agricultural department for information. This is a costly and time consuming activity. Availability of government officials is unpredictable.
Radio or TV programs are broadcast at a predefined schedule which may or may not be convenient for the farmer. Information should be available to the farmer on demand and should be personalized to his needs. Majority of farmers in villages either do not have access to newspapers or lack of education makes their access limited.
Most of the information broadcast may not be specific to a farmer’s needs.
Fellow farmers do not have the best or most up to date knowledge.
Field agents of pesticide or seed companies are unable to pay frequent and timely visits to all farmers.