Information Hungers of the Rice Growers

The present investigation was confined to Anand district of Gujarat state. The information need of the 100 rice growers was measure using three point continuums. Major area of information needs as expressed by the rice growers in descending order of rank were plant protection measures, marketing, schedule of water supply by canal, fertilizer management, water management, preparation of seedlings, variety, land preparation and sowing, supportive facts, harvesting and post harvesting technology and weed management. It was observed from the same table that majority of the rice growers have expressed their information needs about identification, nature of damage and control measures for insects/pests as well as diseases of rice crop; price of insecticides/pesticides; integrated pest management and method of preparing solutions of insecticides/pesticides. They articulated high need for information on market price followed by quality parameters that affects price and time of market inflow. It can be seen that the rice growers expressed their needs for information about subsidies, insurance and government policies related to rice cultivation.