FAQs in agricultural knowledge and technology dissemination platform: a critical analysis

Abstract

The research study titled “FAQs in Agricultural Knowledge and Technology Dissemination Platform: A Critical Analysis” was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, during the academic years 2022-24. The study aimed to explore the role of FAQs in meeting farmers' needs, analyze the content to identify emerging topics and gaps, assess their effectiveness, and determine factors influencing their adoption in agricultural knowledge dissemination. The study examined the effectiveness of FAQs across five districts in South Kerala viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Kottayam. The methodology involved two parts: (1) a desk study to collect and analyze FAQs from government, NGO, and private sources using qualitative content analysis, and (2) a survey of 150 farmers and 30 agricultural officers to assess their use and perceptions of FAQs. Farmers were selected randomly from lists of active participants in agricultural programs, and data were analysed using statistical tools like SPSS along with qualitative software. The parameters studied included content relevance, accessibility, user perceptions, and factors affecting adoption. The collected data showed that 85.33% of farmers and 83.33% of agricultural officers were aware of agricultural FAQs, though usage patterns varied. Among farmers, 31.33% reported frequent use, 30.67% used them occasionally, 23.33% relied on them consistently, and 14.67% rarely used them. Similarly, 40% of agricultural officers reported frequent use, with another 40% using them occasionally, though none relied on them consistently. The study used the Mann-Whitney U Test to analyze topic preferences across districts. Crop production, crop protection, crop improvement technologies, and value addition emerged as top priorities, reflecting farmers' focus on increasing productivity and profitability. Marketing and animal husbandry were of lesser concern, possibly due to established practices or a focus on crop-based activities. Government schemes and subsidies were frequently inquired about, indicating their importance in decision-making. Key topics of interest included pest control, crop management, and government subsidies, while questions about fertilizers and irrigation methods were less frequent. Farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of FAQs varied across districts. In Thiruvananthapuram

and Alappuzha, 35.33% found them very effective, while 46.67% rated them moderately effective. However, 18% of respondents, especially in Kollam and Pathanamthitta, reported that FAQs were less effective. The content analysis revealed gaps in FAQ-based solutions (FAQ-S), particularly in banana and spice crops, suggesting a need for updates to maintain relevance. IPM, precision farming, and post-harvest interventions were identified as areas needing improvement. The study found that while government sources were highly trusted across districts, NGOs and private organizations showed varying levels of trust. Informal networks had limited trust but remained useful as supplementary sources. Farmers from Pathanamthitta rated the relevance of FAQs highly, while Kollam had the highest dissatisfaction, with 33.33% finding the information less useful. Satisfaction with content accessibility and comprehensibility was moderate overall, though specific dissatisfaction was reported in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. Of the agricultural officers surveyed, 20% reported high satisfaction, 40% had moderate satisfaction, and another 40% expressed low satisfaction, indicating room for improvement in making the content more practical and relevant. The farmers and agricultural officers (AOs) who participated in the study exhibited diverse personal and social characteristics. The majority of farmers using the FAQ platform were middle-aged (53-66 years), comprising 46% of the respondents, followed by adults aged 39-52 years (34.67%). Younger farmers below 39 years and older farmers above 66 years were less represented, forming only 8% and 11.33%, respectively, with a mean age of 53.77 years. This demographic pattern suggests that the platform primarily appeals to experienced farmers, while younger and older groups engage less. Among the agricultural officers, 80% were aged 45 years or younger, with a mean age of 37.3 years, highlighting a relatively younger workforce. Educational qualifications also played a role in platform usage, with 42.67% of farmers holding undergraduate degrees and 14.67% completing high school or higher secondary education. Officers exhibited higher academic qualifications, with 40% being postgraduates and a small percentage holding doctoral degrees. Gender distribution showed that 86.67% of the farmer participants were male, reflecting a significant gender gap in accessing agricultural knowledge, whereas the majority of officers 66.67% were female. Additionally, 58.67% of farmers had moderate

farming experience, averaging 20.89 years, suggesting that experience influences engagement with FAQs. The study identified several challenges that hindered the effective utilization of the FAQ platform. Low awareness among farmers, time constraints, and questions about the credibility and relevance of content emerged as key barriers. Farmers also encountered technical difficulties and language barriers, limiting their ability to navigate and benefit from the platform. Addressing these challenges requires targeted strategies such as digital literacy programs, language support, and efforts to make the platform user-friendly. Improvements in training for agricultural officers and regular updates to FAQ content are crucial to maintaining relevance and fostering trust. By focusing on these aspects, the platform can better support informed decision-making among farmers and enhance agricultural practices. Closing these gaps will not only improve the effectiveness of agricultural extension services but also promote sustainable farming practices, resource optimization, and productivity across regions. The study concluded that FAQs play an important role in disseminating agricultural knowledge, with a strong focus on crop production, protection, and government schemes. However, content on marketing and animal husbandry received less attention. Although FAQs were generally effective, regional variations in satisfaction highlighted the need for location-specific updates. Trust in government sources remained strong, but further improvements in the sufficiency and precision of content were recommended. Regular updates, integration of scientific advancements, and providing actionable advice were suggested to meet the evolving needs of farmers and agricultural officers.The research study titled “FAQs in Agricultural Knowledge and Technology Dissemination Platform: A Critical Analysis” was carried out at the College of Agriculture, Vellayani, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, during the academic years 2022-24. The study aimed to explore the role of FAQs in meeting farmers' needs, analyze the content to identify emerging topics and gaps, assess their effectiveness, and determine factors influencing their adoption in agricultural knowledge dissemination. The study examined the effectiveness of FAQs across five districts in South Kerala viz., Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, and Kottayam. The methodology involved two parts: (1) a desk study to collect and analyze FAQs from government, NGO, and private sources using qualitative content analysis, and (2) a survey of 150 farmers and 30 agricultural officers to assess their use and perceptions of FAQs. Farmers were selected randomly from lists of active participants in agricultural programs, and data were analysed using statistical tools like SPSS along with qualitative software. The parameters studied included content relevance, accessibility, user perceptions, and factors affecting adoption. The collected data showed that 85.33% of farmers and 83.33% of agricultural officers were aware of agricultural FAQs, though usage patterns varied. Among farmers, 31.33% reported frequent use, 30.67% used them occasionally, 23.33% relied on them consistently, and 14.67% rarely used them. Similarly, 40% of agricultural officers reported frequent use, with another 40% using them occasionally, though none relied on them consistently. The study used the Mann-Whitney U Test to analyze topic preferences across districts. Crop production, crop protection, crop improvement technologies, and value addition emerged as top priorities, reflecting farmers' focus on increasing productivity and profitability. Marketing and animal husbandry were of lesser concern, possibly due to established practices or a focus on crop-based activities. Government schemes and subsidies were frequently inquired about, indicating their importance in decision-making. Key topics of interest included pest control, crop management, and government subsidies, while questions about fertilizers and irrigation methods were less frequent. Farmers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of FAQs varied across districts. In Thiruvananthapuram

and Alappuzha, 35.33% found them very effective, while 46.67% rated them moderately effective. However, 18% of respondents, especially in Kollam and Pathanamthitta, reported that FAQs were less effective. The content analysis revealed gaps in FAQ-based solutions (FAQ-S), particularly in banana and spice crops, suggesting a need for updates to maintain relevance. IPM, precision farming, and post-harvest interventions were identified as areas needing improvement. The study found that while government sources were highly trusted across districts, NGOs and private organizations showed varying levels of trust. Informal networks had limited trust but remained useful as supplementary sources. Farmers from Pathanamthitta rated the relevance of FAQs highly, while Kollam had the highest dissatisfaction, with 33.33% finding the information less useful. Satisfaction with content accessibility and comprehensibility was moderate overall, though specific dissatisfaction was reported in Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha. Of the agricultural officers surveyed, 20% reported high satisfaction, 40% had moderate satisfaction, and another 40% expressed low satisfaction, indicating room for improvement in making the content more practical and relevant. The farmers and agricultural officers (AOs) who participated in the study exhibited diverse personal and social characteristics. The majority of farmers using the FAQ platform were middle-aged (53-66 years), comprising 46% of the respondents, followed by adults aged 39-52 years (34.67%). Younger farmers below 39 years and older farmers above 66 years were less represented, forming only 8% and 11.33%, respectively, with a mean age of 53.77 years. This demographic pattern suggests that the platform primarily appeals to experienced farmers, while younger and older groups engage less. Among the agricultural officers, 80% were aged 45 years or younger, with a mean age of 37.3 years, highlighting a relatively younger workforce. Educational qualifications also played a role in platform usage, with 42.67% of farmers holding undergraduate degrees and 14.67% completing high school or higher secondary education. Officers exhibited higher academic qualifications, with 40% being postgraduates and a small percentage holding doctoral degrees. Gender distribution showed that 86.67% of the farmer participants were male, reflecting a significant gender gap in accessing agricultural knowledge, whereas the majority of officers 66.67% were female. Additionally, 58.67% of farmers had moderate

farming experience, averaging 20.89 years, suggesting that experience influences engagement with FAQs. The study identified several challenges that hindered the effective utilization of the FAQ platform. Low awareness among farmers, time constraints, and questions about the credibility and relevance of content emerged as key barriers. Farmers also encountered technical difficulties and language barriers, limiting their ability to navigate and benefit from the platform. Addressing these challenges requires targeted strategies such as digital literacy programs, language support, and efforts to make the platform user-friendly. Improvements in training for agricultural officers and regular updates to FAQ content are crucial to maintaining relevance and fostering trust. By focusing on these aspects, the platform can better support informed decision-making among farmers and enhance agricultural practices. Closing these gaps will not only improve the effectiveness of agricultural extension services but also promote sustainable farming practices, resource optimization, and productivity across regions. The study concluded that FAQs play an important role in disseminating agricultural knowledge, with a strong focus on crop production, protection, and government schemes. However, content on marketing and animal husbandry received less attention. Although FAQs were generally effective, regional variations in satisfaction highlighted the need for location-specific updates. Trust in government sources remained strong, but further improvements in the sufficiency and precision of content were recommended. Regular updates, integration of scientific advancements, and providing actionable advice were suggested to meet the evolving needs of farmers and agricultural officers.