Article: Mobile phone-based agricultural information for farming decisions: evidence from up country vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka Journal: International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation (IJAITG) 2021 Vol.2 No.4 pp.300 - 317 Abstract: Mobile-based information services in agriculture can have positive spillovers to all the stakeholders and resources involved. They can be effectively used to deliver agricultural information to improve the governance of agricultural resources. This paper explores the mobile phone usage among upcountry vegetables farmers in Sri Lanka as a tool to deliver agricultural information. Findings reveal, though access to mobile phones was high, most farmers use mobile phones mainly for personal communication. Few farmers obtain agriculture related information due to lower awareness on mobile phone-based information technology, and attitudinal barriers. Farmers, who are using these services, highlighted that the services are helpful in the effective use of available resources for agricultural development. The effective use of agricultural information improves the governance of scares agricultural resources, with improved income for farmers and lesser impact on the environment. This is also the first study to assess the farmers' willingness to pay for a fee-based mobile information service in Sri Lanka. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Mobile phone-based agricultural information for farming decisions: evidence from up country vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka

Authors: G.D. Dinuk Perera; Pathmanathan Sivashankar; Rohana P. Mahaliyanaarachchi

Addresses: Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihul Oya, 70140, Sri Lanka ' Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihul Oya, 70140, Sri Lanka ' Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, Belihul Oya, 70140, Sri Lanka

Abstract: Mobile-based information services in agriculture can have positive spillovers to all the stakeholders and resources involved. They can be effectively used to deliver agricultural information to improve the governance of agricultural resources. This paper explores the mobile phone usage among upcountry vegetables farmers in Sri Lanka as a tool to deliver agricultural information. Findings reveal, though access to mobile phones was high, most farmers use mobile phones mainly for personal communication. Few farmers obtain agriculture related information due to lower awareness on mobile phone-based information technology, and attitudinal barriers. Farmers, who are using these services, highlighted that the services are helpful in the effective use of available resources for agricultural development. The effective use of agricultural information improves the governance of scares agricultural resources, with improved income for farmers and lesser impact on the environment. This is also the first study to assess the farmers' willingness to pay for a fee-based mobile information service in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: agricultural extension; awareness; communication; information systems; mobile phone technology; Sri Lanka.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAITG.2021.122854

International Journal of Agriculture Innovation, Technology and Globalisation, 2021 Vol.2 No.4, pp.300 - 317

Received: 30 May 2020
Accepted: 06 Oct 2021
Published online: 13 May 2022 *

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Title: Mobile phone-based agricultural information for farming decisions: evidence from up country vegetable farmers in Sri Lanka

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