Prospects and Problems of Youtube and Virtual Video Channels in Agricultural Content Preparation and Dissemination

Abstract

Nowadays farmers need new technologies and the latest information so that they can cope with the challenges and difficulties they face due to the lack of technical information. YouTube is a potential low cost tool that has the ability to increase the scope and coverage of agricultural extension. YouTube can be regarded as social communication technology in which opportunities for farmers' feedback, interaction, and networking are much higher than other forms of extension information delivery. In order to utilize this tool for the benefit of farmers, it is necessary to know, the prospects and problems of You Tube and virtual video channels in agricultural content preparation and dissemination. Data were collected from 105 respondents under the Khulna metropolitan agriculture office (both Metro 1 and 2) and from the 3 content creators from February to May 2023. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Respondents' perceptions regarding YouTube on agricultural content dissemination were the focus variables and eleven selected characteristics were the independent variables. The majority of the respondent's perception of the prospects of You Tube in agricultural content dissemination was high (94.3%). YouTube can be used anywhere and was the first ranked for prospects of You'Iube in content dissemination. The majority of the respondent's perception of the problems of YouTube and virtual video channels in agricultural content dissemination was medium (64.8%) to high (30.5%). All the 3 content creator's perception regarding the problem during content preparation was medium. Internet purchasing is not cheap in our country is the major problem from the content creator's point of view. Respondent's perception of problems regarding YouTube in agricultural content dissemination was medium (64.8%). Age, farm size, experience, extension media contact, and training received had positive relationship with the respondent's perception of YouTube. Based on the findings, it is recommended that the reduction of internet cost and availability of devices at low prices need to be ascertained to both the respondents and content creators by the public extension system and the policymakers. Moreover, other virtual video platforms should be readily available like YouTube so that the audience can get information from diversified virtual video channels