Abstract:
Application of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in floriculture is an important
strategy, when concerning the development of floriculture as an emerging agricultural business
sector in Sri Lanka. This study was carried out to identify the current status of ICT usage in
floriculture, the most convenience ICT tools which are used by floriculturists, competitive
advantages of ICT usage and to recognize barriers, which effect on ICT usage. The study was
conducted in Bandarawela and Nuwaraeliya area. As the sample 35 floriculturists were selected
by using simple random sampling technique. Study revealed that the majority of farmers (65%)
don’t have the ICT knowledge. Phones and Television have become the most convenience ICT
tools among floriculturists. The important purposes of ICT usage in floriculture are gaining
knowledge, sharing knowledge advertising and marketing. From those purposes marketing is the
major purpose (28%) of ICT usage in floriculture. Higher profits are the major competitive
advantage of ICT usage in floriculture, followed by more market opportunities. Floriculturists are
interested to get information through conventional information sources like Agricultural
Instructors, Govijanasewa Niladhari, Extension Officer, colleagues and middleman than ICT.
From those conventional sources farmers highly prefer colleagues and middleman. The major
factors, which keep farmers away from ICT are time limitations, knowledge gaps and
technological barriers. To overcome these barriers and improve ICT usage giving awareness to
farmers about ICT, improving infrastructure facilities and ICT access are recommended.
