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Construction of an Index to Assess the Awareness of Horticultural Farmers towards e-Extension Services

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Vishal Sahu — Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
V K Singh — Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Saikat Maji — Assistant Professor, Department of Extension Education, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, BHU, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Raj Lakshmi — Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Monu Kumar — Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mohit Singh — SMS (Agricultural Extension), ICAR-CSSRI KVK Hardoi–II, Uttar Pradesh, India
Published 23 Mar 2026 Vol. 62 No. 2 (2026), pp. 135-140 ● Open access
❝ How to cite 🔗 https://doi.org/10.48165/IJEE.2026.622RT01
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Abstract

The rapid expansion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has reshaped agricultural extension, offering scalable pathways for disseminating timely, location-specific information to farmers. Horticulture crops are highly perishable in nature and decision-making time-sensitive; the effectiveness of e-extension systems depends strongly on farmers’ awareness and understanding of digital advisories. This present study, conducted during 2025, aimed to construct a scientifically valid and reliable index to measure the awareness of horticultural farmers towards e-extension services. Based on an extensive literature review, expert consultations and field insights, 112 statements were initially generated across three conceptual domains: general awareness about e extension, awareness of public e-extension services, and awareness of private e-extension services. Following rigorous screening using Edward’s criteria and relevancy testing by 70 experts, 48 statements met the established criteria of Relevancy Weightage (>0.80) and Mean Relevancy Score (> OMRS = 2.44). The index was validated through field administration among 60 horticultural farmers in non-sampled areas. Reliability analysis indicated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.951) and strong split-half reliability (Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.936). The validated index provides a robust measurement framework to assess awareness gaps and strengthen ICT-enabled advisory systems, thereby enhancing the accessibility, effectiveness, and impact of e-extension services in the horticultural sector.
Keywordse-Extension services, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Horticultural farmers, Awareness index and Digital advisory systems

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