The Role of ICT in the Expansion of Sustainable Agricultural Methods:A Case Study of Rice Cultivators in Rasht County

  The main purpose of this study is the impact of farmers’ exposure to ICT on rice cultivators' application of sustainable agricultural methods in rice cultivation. The rice cultivators exposure to ICT and the extent of farmers application of sustainable agriculture and its relation to ICT are examined. The data are collected through a questionnaire that the reliability and validity of its items are satisfactory. The statistical population consists of rice cultivators with access to ICT. The sample is selected randomly by Cochran method and covers 24 villages and 210 households. Agricultural sustainability as a dependent variable is assessed by 18 indicators. Access to ICT is evaluated at three levels of low, medium and high. The results of analysis of variance indicate that the sustainable agricultural practice and access to ICT has a significant relationship.