Umadevi, Meenakshi Patil, Renuka Bhagavati and Baswaraj Biradar
Abstract
Lack of awareness about the latest innovations in the Agricultural sector and unrealising the importance of Meghdoot app, its utility in dissemination of weather forecast and Agro advisory service bulletin information among the respondents remained our prime concern. So in this context, an attempt has been made to understand broad base impact of this app through its use, based on knowledge and perception levels of the respondents. The present study on survey of Impact assessment of Meghdoot app through farmerâs feedback in dissemination of weather forecast and Agro advisory service information was carried out during the year 2023. Nearly 120 farmer respondents were selected for the study from various blocks of Bidar district. Knowledge and perception level was studied based on the socio economic and personnel profile of the respondents. Education level matters more in timely use of app in dissemination of weather forecast and agro advisory information. Highest (50 percent) were studied up to primary education while lowest (8.33 percent) in the illiterate. Except education, all other factors too influenced in overall comprehension of Meghdoot app, its use in various crop planning activities. Farmer perception about the app usage was most prominently observed at various stages of farm operations particularly during sowing/transplanting (60 percent) while least (3.33 percent) in providing irrigation. This clearly highlights that more number of respondents have used this app for precipitation(50 percent) purpose which is more important weather event, then the other parameters during the cropping period. Various suggestions about preferred source and medium weather forecast, once again WhatsApp (42.50 percent) found most significant in disseminating timely and quick information on weather forecast and agro advisory information to the respondents which seems very useful in taking various key decisions related to agriculture and other allied activities.