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Agriculture, pivotal to India's economy, hinges on timely and relevant information for sustainable practices and rural livelihoods. This study delves into the intricate fabric of farmers' information needs across diverse demographics and regions to craft targeted strategies for information dissemination and capacity building. Employing an ex-post facto research design, this study surveyed 90 respondents from Sitapur district, Uttar Pradesh. Utilizing a structured interview schedule, respondents' information needs were assessed using a modified information need index. Reliability testing via reliability triangulation using Spearman-Brown, Guttman split-half coefficients and Cronbach's alpha affirming the robustness standardised information need index (SINI). The prioritized information needs unveiled Integrated Disease/Pest Management as paramount (SINI = 91.94), reflecting concerns about crop health and yield preservation. Market-related information (SINI = 87.22) and credit accessibility (SINI = 84.44) followed closely, underscoring the importance of profitability and financial support. Weather forecasting and government schemes, placed at fourth and fifth ranks with the SINI score 78.61 and 73.33 respectively, signifying risk mitigation and support avenues for farmers. These findings offer critical insights for policymakers and extension services to tailor interventions, enabling informed decision-making, fostering sustainable agricultural practices, and advancing rural development.
Shukla et al. (Tue,) studied this question.