Aquaculture Knowledge Dissemination through Information and Communication Technology Projects: e-Learning Module Approach

e-Learning techniques are useful for delivering agriculture and aquaculture related knowledge and information to farmers directly and indirectly through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) projects like e-Choupal, iKisan and Information Village Research Project of M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). Identifying information needs of users of ICT projects in coastal areas and aqua farmers at regular intervals followed by disseminating appropriate information in the required electronic format could be a viable strategy for the improvement of knowledge and skills. Information needs assessment of users of Village Resource Centre and Village Knowledge Centres of Pudhucherry and Ramanathapuram, which are the information centers in coastal areas of Tamilnadu, India, initiated by Information Village Research Project of MSSRF was conducted. Based on the overall assessment, the asynchronous e-Learning modules on 'Handbook of fisheries institutions' in English, 'Mud crab fattening (Scylla tranquebarica)' in Tamil and 'Soil and water management in brackishwater shrimp aquaculture' in English were developed.