Full Length Research Article (Monograph)
Authors:
- Rishabh Aryan, M.Des (UX), School of Design, DIT University, Dehradun (Uttarakhand, India).
- Abdul Kalam, Assistant Professor, School of Design, DIT University, Dehradun (Uttarakhand, India).
Corresponding Author: Abdul Kalam, Assistant Professor, School of Design, DIT University, Dehradun (Uttarakhand, India).
Email ID: abdul.kalam@dituniversity.edu.in
Abstract
In the rural, agrarian landscapes of Bhagalpur, Bihar, India, the dynamics of local livelihoods are deeply intertwined with the evolving influence of digital technologies. This study investigates the current status of farmer livelihoods, exploring how digital tools empower rural communities while identifying the multi-dimensional barriers that hinder widespread adoption. Historically constrained by small and fragmented landholdings, unpredictable weather, exploitative middlemen, and infrastructure deficits, local farming households face ongoing threats to their economic security.
The introduction of mobile connectivity and digital tools has initiated a transformative shift, bridging information gaps by offering real-time weather forecasts, market pricing transparency, and personalized agronomic advisories. Furthermore, the study evaluates the level of awareness across four digitized information sources, finding robust recognition for m-Agriculture (mean awareness score of 3.68), moderate awareness for web portals and hybrid ICT projects, and notably lower familiarity with physical knowledge centers. Beyond direct productivity and economic yields, digital platforms promote socioeconomic resilience, enhance financial inclusion via mobile banking, and open up specialized pathways for marginalized groups like women and rural youth. However, a persistent digital divide along socioeconomic, gender, and age lines, combined with erratic electricity and limited broadband in remote areas, threatens equitable digital inclusion. The study concludes that overcoming these systemic limitations requires multi-stakeholder collaboration, continuous policy support, targeted infrastructure investment, and advanced digital literacy programs to cultivate a sustainable, digitally empowered rural economy.
Keywords: Digital Technology Adoption , Farmer Livelihoods , Rural Empowerment, m-Agriculture, Agricultural Productivity, Digital Divide, Bhagalpur, Bihar, Socioeconomic Resilience.
Accepted: 06/02/2025
Published: 23/03/2025
Author(s) Retains the Copyrights of This Article