Utilization of ICTs in Agricultural Marketing Information Delivery in Charland of Bangladesh

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a significant role in delivering agricultural marketing information to the door-steps of the agrarian community for effectively managing the farming practices and getting maximum profitability. However, the agrarian community in the rural areas, particularly in the Charland areas are yet to exploit this opportunity. Hence, this study was conducted to assess the status of ICT’s utilization in receiving agricultural marketing information in a selected Charland area of Bangladesh. The study was descriptive and diagnostic type research, conducted through primary data collection from the 120 farmers by a face to face interview technique. Findings revealed that almost 60% of the sampled respondents seek information related to agricultural marketing. Although a significant number of the farmers had access to different ICT tools such as mobile phones, radio, and television, the majority of them depends on peer-group farmers and the union digital center as the key sources of marketing-related information. Nonetheless, 26.58% of ownership farmers utilized ICTs for getting agricultural marketing information. Low access to electricity connection and their interrupted supply, lack of sales and customer delivery center for ICT-based tools in the rural areas, and insufficient training and awareness building initiatives are major challenges for effective utilization of ICTs by the rural Charland farmers.

Full text

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*Corresponding author: Email: zia.bsmrau@gmail.com;
Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies
14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
ISSN: 2581-6268
Utilization of ICTs in Agricultural Marketing
Information Delivery in Charland of Bangladesh
Muhammad Ziaul Hoque
1*
, Md. Enamul Haque
1
, Foyez Ahmed Prodhan
1
and Md. Shariful Islam
2
1
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh.
2
Department of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, EXIM Bank Agricultural University
Bangladesh, Chapai Nawabganj 6300, Bangladesh.
Authors’ contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Author MZH designed the study,
managed the literature searches, performed the statistical analysis, wrote the protocol, and wrote the
first draft of the manuscript. Authors MEH, FAP and MSI reviewed and edited the manuscript. All
authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Article Information
DOI: 10.9734/AJESS/2021/v14i230350
Editor(s):
(1)
Dr. Sara Marelli, University Hospital IRCCS San Raffaele, Italy.
Reviewers:
(1)
R N Mishra, Mizoram University, India.
(2)
Sayyada Fahmeeda Sultana, PDA College of Engineering, India.
(3)
Chaimaa Essayeh, Institut national des postes (INPT), Morocco.
Complete Peer review History:
http://www.sdiarticle4.com/review-history/63753
Received 08 October 2020
Accepted 12 December 2020
Published 27 January 2021
ABSTRACT
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a significant role in delivering agricultural
marketing information to the door-steps of the agrarian community for effectively managing the
farming practices and getting maximum profitability. However, the agrarian community in the rural
areas, particularly in the Charland areas are yet to exploit this opportunity. Hence, this study was
conducted to assess the status of ICT’s utilization in receiving agricultural marketing information in
a selected Charland area of Bangladesh. The study was descriptive and diagnostic type research,
conducted through primary data collection from the 120 farmers by a face to face interview
technique. Findings revealed that almost 60% of the sampled respondents seek information related
to agricultural marketing. Although a significant number of the farmers had access to different ICT
tools such as mobile phones, radio, and television, the majority of them depends on peer-group
farmers and the union digital center as the key sources of marketing-related information.
Original Research Article

Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
11
Nonetheless, 26.58% of ownership farmers utilized ICTs for getting agricultural marketing
information. Low access to electricity connection and their interrupted supply, lack of sales and
customer delivery center for ICT-based tools in the rural areas, and insufficient training and
awareness building initiatives are major challenges for effective utilization of ICTs by the rural
Charland farmers.
Keywords: ICT; agricultural farming; marketing information; charland; Bangladesh.
1. INTRODUCTION
The economy of Bangladesh is primarily
dependent on agriculture. It also determines the
status of food sufficiency and livelihood wellbeing
of the country accommodates 160 million
populations [1]. Despite the impressive
achievement of attaining food sufficiency in
recent years, there is a greater challenge of
maintaining food production in the face of
population growth, a decrease of cultivable land,
and climate change-induced disasters
[2,3,4]. Apart from the efforts of increasing
yield from per unit land area, the country
should find some other avenues such as
ensuring timely availability of marketing
information and reducing post-harvest losses to
make the farming operation profitable. However,
the availability of required marketing information
at the farmers’ doorstep is most increasingly
necessary mainly in developing countries like
Bangladesh. Nonetheless, people living in the
rural and island (char) areas are among the
most disadvantaged groups depriving of
marketing-related information [5,6] and hence,
experiencing low or deficient returns from their
farm produces.
Information and communication technologies
(ICTs) are considered effective tools or strategies
for the economical, social, and cultural
development of rural societies Chapman and
Slaymaker, [7]; Harris, [8]; Islam et al. [9]; Mago
and Mago, [10]; Maningas, [11]; Mruthunjaya and
Adhiguru, [12]; Rahman, [13]; Shahnewaz et al.
[14] that can reduce poverty by increasing
service efficiency and expanding the rural
industries Chapman and Slaymaker, [7]; ITU,
[15]; Moghaddam and Khatoon-Abadi, [16].
Access to ICT can assist farmers in several ways
AlBar and Hoque, [17]; Ali and Kumar, [18];
Beheraa et al. [19]; Chapman and Slaymaker,
[7]; Eden and Kalusopa, [20]; Fountas et al. [21];
ICT Agric. Connect. Smallholders to Knowledge,
Networks, Institutions, [22]; Irungu et al. [23];
Krone et al. [24]; Lehmann et al. [25]; Mago and
Mago, [10]; Mahant et al. [26]; Mugwisi et al. [27];
Mwombe et al. [28]; Palmer, [29]; Papaioannou
and Dimelis, [30]; Parmar et al. [31]; Rao, [32];
Salampasis and Theodoridis, [33]. Traditional
media and new ICT can play a major
role in diffusing information to rural
communities. The availability of market
information also enables farmers to check
on the prices they receive vis-à-vis the prevailing
market prices. Moreover, ICT can accelerate
agricultural development by facilitating
knowledge management. Besides, farmers can
take full advantage of ICT to enhance
productivity and generate more income by
adopting new technologies, including new
varieties, adding value, and marketing
their products. Timely access to market
information via communication networks also
helps farmers make well-informed decisions
about what crops to plant and where to
sell their produce and buy inputs. To alleviate
problems such as the exploitation of
farmers by the middlemen, wastage of
agricultural products and resultants increase in
the price of food products in the market and
bridge the gap between farmers and consumers,
use of ICT supported information can be
instrumental. Hence, the study was conducted
to: (i) explore the sources of agricultural
marketing information in Charland areas, (ii)
ascertain the access to and use of ICTs for
agricultural marketing information, and (iii)
identify the constraint interlinked with ICTs
utilization in the rural Charland area of
Bangladesh.
2. METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted in Kazipur upazilla
of Sirajgonj district taking four villages from
two unions (Fig. 1). It is located in between
24°32' and 24°46' north latitudes and in between
89°32' and 89°48' east longitudes with a total
area of 368.63 sq km. This area is a riverine area
and very highly vulnerable to flood and riverbank
erosion.

Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
12
Fig. 1. Location map of the study
All farm family heads in the selected areas were
considered as the population of the study.
However, a total of 120 respondents were
selected as a sample following a stratified
disproportionate random sampling technique. An
interview schedule was developed to administer
face to face interview of household heads for
gathering primary data. Secondary data were
collected through different sources including
books, journals, and thesis papers available in
BSMRAU library and other online sources such
as searching Google Scholar and Researchgate
platforms. In order to collect pertinent
information, an interview schedule was prepared
carefully with due patience keeping the objective
of the research in view. The questions and
statements contained in the schedule were
simple, direct, and easily understandable to the
respondents. The schedule contained both open
and closed forms of questions. Appropriate
scales and techniques of measurement were
applied to ensure correct responses of the
variable concerned. After developing the draft
interview schedule, it was then pre-tested with 16
respondents of the selected four locations and
finalized by necessary modification based on the
pre-test experience. Respondents were informed
well ahead of time about the specific date of the
farm visit. Local extension personnel of the four
locations was managed to easily reach the
selected respondents and avoid cultural conflicts.
The items of the interview schedule were
explained in their local language to make them
understood the subject of study or questions in
the interview schedule. The responses of the
respondents were checked and cross-checked
before leaving to avoid any missing, duplication,
overestimate, or wrong information. Data on
socio-demographic characteristics such as age,
education, family size, marital status, land
ownership, income, and occupation were
collected following standard procedure and they

Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
13
were analyzed to figure out the personal
differences. Respondents were asked to mention
the ownership of different ICT tools and their use
for getting marketing information to explore the
scenario of ICTs adoption in rural areas and their
utilization for marketing information delivery.
Data on major drivers of ICTs effectiveness were
collected through FGDs and KIIs. Information
gathered in the interview schedule were coded,
compiled, tabulated, and analyzed with the help
of Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS) software for their meaningful
representation and explanation.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.1 Farm Enterprise Characteristics
3.1.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the
respondents
The purpose of studying the socio-economic
characteristics of the respondents was to get an
idea about the population characteristics of
Charland farmers. The socio-economic
characteristics included age, education, family
size, farm size, and farming experience are
shown in Table 1.
The highest proportion (44.17%) of the
respondents was in middle aged group as
compared to 38.33 percent old aged and 17.50
percent of the respondents were younger aged.
The highest proportion (47.5%) of the
respondents had primary level education, 16.67
percent respondents had secondary level
education, and 1.67 percent respondents had
higher secondary level education compared to
34.17 percent respondents being illiterate.
More than half (55%) of the respondents fell
under medium families as compared with 20
percent small and 25 percent large category.
Majority (56.67 %) of the respondents had a
small farm size followed by medium (40.83%)
and large (2.5 %) farm size. About half (49.17%)
of the respondents had medium farming
experience. Only 30 percent and 20.83 percent
had high and low farming experience
respectively.
3.1.2 Crop enterprises
Charland farmers are cultivating diversified crops
in different seasons. Their crop production
behavior changes over time due to climatic
vulnerabilities and other constraints.
The information displayed in Fig. 2 revealed that
Charland farmers emphasized cereal crop
production to sustain their livelihood where most
of the respondents are cultivating rice (89.17%).
Majority of the respondents are cultivating
vegetables (68.33%) amongst them, only a few
numbers of the respondents are produced
commercially due to lack of transport and other
facilities as well. Maize, wheat, jute, mustard,
lentil, and chili are the major crops followed by
rice in the Charlands.
Table 1. Distribution of the respondent according to their socio-economic characteristics
Character
Measuring
unit
Categories
No. of
respondents
Percent
Age Actual year Young aged (up to 35) 21 17.50
Middle aged (36-45) 53 44.17
Old (>45) 46 38.33
Education Year of
schooling
Illiterate (0) 41 34.17
Primary (1-5) 57 47.50
Secondary (6-10) 20 16.67
Higher secondary (>10) 2 1.67
Family size Number Small (up to 4) 24 20.00
Medium (5 to 6) 66 55.00
Large (7 and above) 30 25.00
Farm size Actual
(ha)
Marginal (<.02) 0 0.00
Small (>.02 to 0.99) 68 56.67
Medium(1 to 2.99) 49 40.83
Large (3 and above) 03 2.50
Farming
experience
No. of Years Poor (up to 15) 25 20.83
Moderate (16 to 20) 59 49.17
High (above 20) 36 30.00

Fig.
2. Distribution of the respondents according to crop production enterprises
3.1.3 Transportation facility
Transportation of the produced commodity to the
market is an important issue in Charland area.
Most of the roads in the Charland are muddy and
seasonal floods damage them
regularly. Hence,
there is no way to ride heavy vehicles like track
and pickup.
They mainly depend on local
traditional transport to bring their commodity to
the market. Fig.
3 shows that the highest
proportion of the respondents used horse cart
(25.83%), followed by boat (22.50%), OX cart
(12.50%), Head load (10.83%). Other available
vehicles were a motorcycle, hand cart, van,
buffalo cart, and power tiller.
3.1.4 Ownership of ICT tools
Information and communication technology can
bring a desirable change in rural areas by getting
required information timely. Realizing this fa
Charland farmers are coming forward to accept
and use ICT tools. Fig. 4 shows that 60.83
percent of households have mobile phones
0.00
10.00
Rice
Wheat
Maize
Jute
Chili
Vegetables
Lentil
Black gram
Cowpea
Mung bean
Millets
Sugarcane
Watermelon
Onion
Garlic
Ginger
Mustard
Sesame
Turmeric
5.83
5.00
Name of the crops
Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021
; Article no.AJESS.63753
14
2. Distribution of the respondents according to crop production enterprises
Transportation of the produced commodity to the
market is an important issue in Charland area.
Most of the roads in the Charland are muddy and
regularly. Hence,
there is no way to ride heavy vehicles like track
They mainly depend on local
traditional transport to bring their commodity to
3 shows that the highest
proportion of the respondents used horse cart
(25.83%), followed by boat (22.50%), OX cart
(12.50%), Head load (10.83%). Other available
vehicles were a motorcycle, hand cart, van,
Information and communication technology can
bring a desirable change in rural areas by getting
required information timely. Realizing this fa
ct,
Charland farmers are coming forward to accept
and use ICT tools. Fig. 4 shows that 60.83
percent of households have mobile phones
whereas 29.17 percent have radio and 25.83
percent have television. It is promising that
Charland farmers’ getting aware o
computer, and internet service as their college or
university going child have to operate these type
of ICT tools.
3.1.5 Sources of power supply for ICT tools
Electricity is essential for operating any
kind of ICT tools. But electricity is a major
concern for the Charland people. In the study
area, most of the households didn’t have an
electricity connection. Depriving of electricity
facilities, Charland farmers are taking alternate
means of power supply
to operate their ICT tools.
In this connection, Solar power energy changed
the outlook of Charland area. Fig. 5 shows that
39.48 percent of respondents using a portable
battery for operating their ICT tools. This
category of respondents usually using radi
cassette
player, and mobile phone by getting
power supply from the battery. About 25.32
percent household has connected with
10.00
20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00
35.83
42.50
55.83
52.50
68.33
39.17
30.83
23.33
10.83
10.83
5.83
5.00
25.83
22.50
10.83
43.33
22.50
20.83
% Respondents cultivated each crops
; Article no.AJESS.63753
2. Distribution of the respondents according to crop production enterprises
whereas 29.17 percent have radio and 25.83
percent have television. It is promising that
Charland farmers’ getting aware o
f the laptop,
computer, and internet service as their college or
university going child have to operate these type
3.1.5 Sources of power supply for ICT tools
Electricity is essential for operating any
kind of ICT tools. But electricity is a major
concern for the Charland people. In the study
area, most of the households didn’t have an
electricity connection. Depriving of electricity
facilities, Charland farmers are taking alternate
to operate their ICT tools.
In this connection, Solar power energy changed
the outlook of Charland area. Fig. 5 shows that
39.48 percent of respondents using a portable
battery for operating their ICT tools. This
category of respondents usually using radi
o,
player, and mobile phone by getting
power supply from the battery. About 25.32
percent household has connected with
electricity
90.00
89.17

and 13.92 percent have adopted a solar
system for power supply. It is now very
common that village markets have their
generator facilities for power supply. From the
generator, adjacent households are taking power
supply on a fixed paid basis. It is very
Fig.
3. Farmers’ access to transportation facilities
Fig.
4. Distribution of the respondents according to ownership of ICT tools
0 5
Power tillar
OX cart
Horse cart
Bufello cart
Boat
Bicycle
Van
Hand cart
Motorcycle
Head load
3.33
4.17
4.17
2.50
Principal means of Transportation
0 10
Television
Mobile
Internet
VCD/DVD
Radio
Casset Player
Camera
Computer
Laptop
7.50
1.67
2.50
2.50
4.17
ICT tools
Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021
; Article no.AJESS.63753
15
and 13.92 percent have adopted a solar
system for power supply. It is now very
common that village markets have their
generator facilities for power supply. From the
generator, adjacent households are taking power
supply on a fixed paid basis. It is very
enthusiastic an
d encouraging that 12.66 percent
of households are taking power supply from their
neighboring households. They have proven that
nothing can stop them to use ICT tools. These
categories of farmers are usually operating a
mobile phone.
3. Farmers’ access to transportation facilities
4. Distribution of the respondents according to ownership of ICT tools
10 15 20 25
3.33
12.50
25.83
7.50
22.50
4.17
6.67
4.17
10.83
% Farmers
20 30 40 50 60
25.83
7.50
29.17
10.83
% farmers adopted
; Article no.AJESS.63753
d encouraging that 12.66 percent
of households are taking power supply from their
neighboring households. They have proven that
nothing can stop them to use ICT tools. These
categories of farmers are usually operating a
4. Distribution of the respondents according to ownership of ICT tools
30
25.83
70
60.83

Fig.
5. Farmers’ access to power supply for ICT tools
3.2 Use
of ICT for Agricultural Product
Marketing Information
3.2.1
Farmers’ information needed
Fig.
6 shows that 60.83 percent of respondents
are seeking farm credits and subsidies
information followed by 48.33 percent needs
marketing information, 47.50
percent required
the principle of pesticide usage.
3.2.2 Sources of marketing information
Marketing information is very important
to receive a high sale
price from the produced
commodity. Hence, farmers need the market
location, date of the market, a specialty of the
market, price of specific products, and availability
of buyers as well. Fig. 7 shows that 10.83
percent of farmers are getting marketing
related information from peer group farmers.
About 5.83 percent of farmers are getting
information from both Union Digital Centre and
traders.
Table 2. Percentage of household using ICT for market information searching
Ownership status
Farmers who owned ICT tools
Farmers who don't own ICT
tools
Total
Numbers in the parentheses are
Electricity
Generator
Portable Battery
Get supply from neigbour/others
Sources of power supply fot ICT tools
Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021
; Article no.AJESS.63753
16
5. Farmers’ access to power supply for ICT tools
of ICT for Agricultural Product
Farmers’ information needed
6 shows that 60.83 percent of respondents
are seeking farm credits and subsidies
related
information followed by 48.33 percent needs
percent required
3.2.2 Sources of marketing information
Marketing information is very important
price from the produced
commodity. Hence, farmers need the market
location, date of the market, a specialty of the
market, price of specific products, and availability
of buyers as well. Fig. 7 shows that 10.83
percent of farmers are getting marketing
-
related information from peer group farmers.
About 5.83 percent of farmers are getting
information from both Union Digital Centre and
3.2.3 ICT for market information searching
Information displayed in Table 2 revealed that
about
65.83 percent of respondents have ICT
facilities and the remaining 34.17 percent didn’t
have those facilities. About 26.58 farmers who
possessed ICT facilities are using ICT tools for
getting agricultural marketing information and
4.88 percent of respondents
who didn’t have ICT
facilities are using ICT tools on a paid basis to
search for agricultural marketing information.
Among all the respondents only 19.17 percent
are using ICT for getting agricultural marketing
information.
3.2.4 Level of use of market
ing information
Information displayed in Table 3 revealed that
48.33 percent of respondents are searching
market price for selling their products followed by
44.17 percent for political instability and 32.50
percent for the availability of buyers. It
that these three factors are the main concern for
the farmers to sell their products.
Table 2. Percentage of household using ICT for market information searching
Percent
% of farmers using ICT tools for marketing
information
65.83 (79) 26.58 (21)
34.17 (41) 4.88 (2)
100 (120) 19.17 (23)
Numbers in the parentheses are
the number of farmers
0 5 10 15 20 25
Electricity
Solar
Generator
Portable Battery
Get supply from neigbour/others
16.67
9.17
5.83
25.83
8.33
% Farmers
; Article no.AJESS.63753
3.2.3 ICT for market information searching
Information displayed in Table 2 revealed that
65.83 percent of respondents have ICT
facilities and the remaining 34.17 percent didn’t
have those facilities. About 26.58 farmers who
possessed ICT facilities are using ICT tools for
getting agricultural marketing information and
who didn’t have ICT
facilities are using ICT tools on a paid basis to
search for agricultural marketing information.
Among all the respondents only 19.17 percent
are using ICT for getting agricultural marketing
ing information
Information displayed in Table 3 revealed that
48.33 percent of respondents are searching
market price for selling their products followed by
44.17 percent for political instability and 32.50
percent for the availability of buyers. It
indicates
that these three factors are the main concern for
Table 2. Percentage of household using ICT for market information searching
for marketing
30
25.83

Fig.
6. Distribution of the respondents according to their information needed
Fig.
7. Farmers’ access to marketing information sources
Farm credit & subsidies
Experts in real time
Market information
Weather information
Pest & Disease
HYV crop species/variety
Cultivation techniques
Soil condition
Seed usage
Pesticide usage
Fertiliser usage
Irrigation methods
Needed farming information
0
Family and friends
Farmers' organization
Traders
Other farmers
Radio
Television
Newspaper
Internet
SMS/voice service
Development agency
Union digital centre
Sources of marketing information
Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021
; Article no.AJESS.63753
17
6. Distribution of the respondents according to their information needed
7. Farmers’ access to marketing information sources
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
60.83
19.17
48.33
29.17
35.83
38.33
25.83
14.17
36.67
47.50
28.33
7.50
% Farmers
2 4 6 8 10
6.67
4.17
5.83
1.67
4.17
3.33
2.50
1.67
1.67
5.83
% Farmers
; Article no.AJESS.63753
6. Distribution of the respondents according to their information needed
70
60.83
12
10.83

Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
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Table 3. Percentage of farmers using different types of marketing information
Types of marketing information
% Respondents
Market days 28.33
Market where products can be sold 22.50
Market demand 26.67
Type of products to sell in the markets 19.17
Different market locations 15.83
Market price
48.33
Communication facilities 19.17
Availability of buyers 32.50
Security facilities 21.67
Political blockade/instability 44.17
Table 4. Farmers’ constraints to the Use of ICTs
Constraints
% respondents
No connection of electricity 83.33
Repair of Technical Faults 39.17
High Cost of Maintenance 39.17
Fluctuating Services 37.50
Missed Information 30.83
Inadequate Access to ICTs Tools 29.17
High Call Tariff 27.50
No Network Coverage 23.33
Erratic Power Supply 16.67
3.2.5 Problems in using ICTs
The results in Table 4, show the constraint to the
use of ICTs in accessing marketing information in
the study area. The areas in which the
respondents realized substantial constraints to
the use of ICTs were electricity connection
(83.33%), erratic power supply (16.67%), high
cost of maintenance (39.17%), fluctuating
services (37.50%), and missed information
(30.83%). This implies that connection and
erratic power supply is the most realized
constraint to the use of ICTS in the study area.
This is an issue that borders on public policy,
which the Bangladesh government should
endeavor to ameliorate for the benefit of rural
farmers.
4. CONCLUSION
The study conducted in a typical Charland of
Bangladesh unpacked the gradient of agrarian
farm families in terms of their socio-demographic
status, farming practices, information
requirements, information sources, ownership
and use of ICT tools for farming and marketing
information, and constraints of ICTs utilization
which will provide an essential guideline for the
policymaker who are being involved with the
mission of transforming the country as “digital
Bangladesh”. Findings revealed that Charland
farmers showed marked individual differences in
their socio-economic status. Respondent farmers
are practicing diversified crop-based farming
practices that indicate the necessity of marketing
information to get a reasonable price from selling
their farm produces. Charland farmers still
dependent on the mobile phone, radio, and
television to collect agricultural farming
information. The root cause of their laggardness
in accepting modern ICT tools was the problem
of electricity supply because most of the
respondents still rely on portable battery or solar
energy to support their ICT tools. It was found
that Charland farmers are still dependent on their
neighboring farmers, friends, and relatives to get
the marketing-related information. Hence, there
remains an extensive scope to boost up their
awareness on the potentiality of ICT supported
tools for marketing as well as the farming
information delivery. It is increasingly being
necessary to take initiative to supply the required
electricity and internet facility along with a service
center for the ease of buying and repairing of the
ICT tools at farmers’ doorstep.
CONSENT
As per international standard or university
standard, respondents’ written consent has been
collected and preserved by the author(s).

Hoque et al.; AJESS, 14(2): 10-20, 2021; Article no.AJESS.63753
19
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This study was financially supported by the
Research Management Committee (RMC) of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahmen
Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Bangladesh.
We would like to acknowledge the logistic
support of the Department of Agricultural
Extension and Rural Development, BSMRAU.
The authors extend sincere gratitude to the editor
and anonymous reviewers for their constructive
comments and valuable suggestions.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing
interests exist.
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