Agriculture in India increasingly depends on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for improving productivity, yet adoption in hilly regions remains limited. This study, conducted in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh with 120 respondents across 20 Gram Panchayats, examined barriers to ICT use through the Garrett Ranking Technique. The results revealed that the lack of government support ranked highest (87.44), followed by the time and practice required to learn ICT tools (62.52) and low digital literacy among farmers (62.17). Other major challenges included inconvenient timings of broadcasts (61.28), high initial costs (58.11), absence of localized content (57.25), and poor internet networks (57.08). Lesser but notable constraints were recurring expenditures (56.51), poor ICT infrastructure (55.07), and electricity problems (39.79). The findings highlight that although farmers are aware of ICT benefits, systemic constraints restrict effective utilization. Strengthening institutional support, investing in rural infrastructure, and creating localized, user-friendly digital platforms are critical. The study suggests that addressing these barriers can significantly enhance ICT adoption, enabling farmers in hilly regions to access timely information and improve livelihood security.
