Assessing technological literacy and factors influencing adoption of mobile based agro-advisory services among small farmers in Maharashtra

Abstract

Agriculture plays a crucial role in the Indian economy, with more than 70% of the population engaged in the sector. However, the sector faces challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, and market volatility. Mobile-based agricultural advisory services have the potential to improve agricultural productivity and profitability by providing farmers with real-time information and advice. However, the adoption of such services is limited by factors such as technological literacy, access to smartphones, and trust in the information provided. This study aims to assess the level of technological literacy and factors influencing the adoption of mobile-based agricultural advisory services among smallholder farmers in Maharashtra, India.