Webinar with Kamshajini Raveenthiran

Kamshajini Raveenthiran 

Graduate Student (Arrell Scholar) at the School of Environmental Design & Rural Development, University of Guelph

Recipient, CIRCLE Masters Research Fund

Wednesday, 12 November 2025 | Exact time TBD.  

In light of global changes and emerging trends, various digital platforms have been used for effective dairy extension services. However, the expected result is not satisfactory. This study is designed to identify the dairy farmers’ attitudes, subjective norms/beliefs, perceived risks, and socioeconomic characteristics that influence dairy farmers’ access, use, and benefits of digital extension services to improve the livelihood of dairy farmers in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.

This investigation utilized post-positivist, an exploratory sequential mixed-method approach. Primary data collection was carried out using four research methods: Four Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Ten expert interviews, two phase Modified Delphi method and 240 semi structured farmers survey.

Key findings of this study are consistent with this literature. Dairy farmer's negative attitudes, prevailing
sociocultural norms within their communities and rural locations, challenges and risks in usage have a negative impact on actual use of digital extension services. There is a gap between the perceptions of dairy farmers and experts about digital extension services, which influenced dairy farmers decision-making towards actual use of it.

This study lays the suggestions for an effective dairy digital extension service such as training and awareness programmers for users, effective cross-sector between digital extension service providers and mobile network providers, modified the government policies with divergent perceptions of providers and users, and distinct management need exists for livestock extension services. 

Moderator
TBA

Organized by
Canada India Research Centre for Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE)