Agricultural Information Access and the Use of ICTs among Smallholder Farmers: A Case of Bembeke EPA in Dedza District, Malawi (original) (raw)
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Through examining the example of commercial small-scale horticultural farmers in Mt. Kenya region and Mwanza region, this empirical study aims to provide an explanation for why different perspectives on the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the Global South exist. A mixed methods approach was used to show that ICT usage can lead to significant improvements, including access to simple and complex knowledge and the development of business linkages. However, the influence of ICT depends on the different ICT usage types and the capabilities of farmers to use them. This paper gives a differentiated view on factors influencing the effects of ICT on small-scale farming. It provides a typology of ICT that helps to explains some of the potential effects of ICT usage in the Global South. The results contribute to the current applied and conceptual debate on market access for smallholders and Information and Communication Technologies for Development.
2010
This paper investigates the provision of agricultural information to small scale farmers in Zimbabwe. It seeks to find out the methods and means of disseminating agricultural information to the small scale farmers in Harare, Zimbabwe. Describes how Information and Communication Technology has impacted on the dissemination of agricultural information. Explains how I.C.T's are impacting on agricultural production among small scale farmers in Zimbabwe. Describes the extent to which information provision is utilised in promoting dissemination of agricultural information to small scale farmers. Highlights the challenges the farmers face with regards to access to agricultural information. Considers how the digital divide affects information dissemination considering the challenges of connectivity in emerging economies. Mentions the current ICT driven projects aimed at facilitating access to agricultural information to farmers.The roles of libraries, schools, and agricultural research extension (AREX) services in providing agricultural information towards sustaining agriculture are described. The use of alternative media like radio, television, and podcasting to disseminate agricultural information the challenges of using such media to communicate agricultural information information to small scale farmers are mentioned.
The intent of this exploratory observational study was to ascertain the knowledge, experience, and attitudes of Malawian smallholder farmers regarding information and communication technology (ICT). This would establish a foundation for proposing ways in which ICT could best be used to provide information encouraging improved agricultural practices. Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its economy is primarily dependent on agriculture, and the bulk of its food supply is produced by smallholder farmers. Non-government organizations such as NASFAM have been working with various international aid donors to improve the livelihood of smallholder farmers. The literature review revealed that there had been almost no studies of the farmers themselves regarding their perceived needs for more information, so an interview guide was designed to elicit this basic information. This study reveals that while most Malawian smallholder farmers are literate, they have only minimal knowledge of ICT and a very limited concept of how it might be useful in improving their farming and marketing practices. The research also indicated that the farmers need more sources for financing their operations. The concluding chapter lists efforts that should be undertaken by the Malawian government and non-government organizations in order to maximize the benefits of ICTs for the smallholder agricultural sector.
Farmers continuously gather new information to keep up with the emerging trends and technologies, and they also store and share this knowledge. e agricultural system in Kenya includes multiple sources available for the farmers as well as a wide range of ICT (information and communications technology)-based innovations for knowledge acquisition. is study investigated farmers' access to different sources of knowledge as well as ICT through a comparative assessment between peri-urban and rural settings, and found that setting and information needs are major influences on sources used. Despite the huge emphasis placed on the need to use ICTs to facilitate information access among smallholder farmers, the adoption levels of these technologies is still very low. is is largely due to lack of information about the existence of such technologies, and there is a need to create awareness about the ICT-based innovations and the potential they have for addressing the challenge of information access among farmers.
Journal of the Ghana Science Association, 2010
Ghana's agricultural extension has not experienced substantial change in its mode of information dissemination. This study seeks to examine the extent of access and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) by Agricultural Extension Agents (AEAs) and farmers and how they harness their potentials in their agricultural activities. Dangme East District in Southeast Ghana was purposively selected for this study. A multi-stage cluster sampling procedure was used to randomly select 120 small scale farmers and 21 AEAs from three villages in the three agricultural zones in the district. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and focus group discussions. Results showed that apart from computer and internet which were not available, all AEAs and most farmers have personal access to mobile phone, television and radio which they use to source and communicate agricultural information. However, for decisions with regard to production, input acquisition up to marketing of farm produce, farmers to a large extent depend more on non-ICT sources. On the other hand, for meteorological information, farmers depend more on radio, television and mobile phone. There was significant relationship p=(0.00 and 0.042) between farmers extent of access to mobile phone and radio and its use in agricultural activities. Also, there was a significant difference p=(0.03) between extents of access to T.V and how often farmers used it in their agricultural activities. There is a great scope and potential for agricultural extension service to explore the use of television, radio and mobile phones to enhance farmers' access to timely agricultural information. Ho: there is no relationship between extent of access to ICT by AEAs in the Dangme East district and their extent of ICT use. Ho: there is no relationship between extent of access to ICT by farmers in the Dangme East district and their extent of ICT use. Ho: AEAs and farmers in the Dangme East district are not harnessing the potential of modern ICT in their agricultural activities.
Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology
Agricultural extension is a communication network linking different stakeholders in agriculture to improve their productivity and Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been utilised as an extension tool for enhancing information flow between agricultural extension services and their clients. The application of ICT in agricultural extension and rural development has significantly increased in several countries where it has provided an adequate access to agricultural information. Efforts are, therefore, needed to scale up investments in physical ICT infrastructure and services across developing country. This could be realised through the implementation of interventions aimed at speeding up assimilation and adoption of improved agricultural technology and management practices of the less productive smallholder farmers. Drawing on relevant published works, this paper argues that agricultural knowledge and information management within an extension system can improve productivit...
International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, 2018
Mainstreaming information and communication technologies (ICTs) into the productive economic sectors has the potential of enhancing productivity of those sectors. In agriculture, there are emerging empirical evidence of how ICTs are helping farmers especially the small holder farmers to access agricultural resources to improve their economic activities. However, in developing countries, especially Africa the integration of ICTs into agriculture has not been effective due to a number of challenges. The study investigated the barriers that hinders the effective use of ICT in farming in Asuogyaman District in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Simple random, purposive and snowball sampling techniques were used in selecting 150 small scale farmers for the study. Semi structured questionnaire was used to collect primary data from the respondents. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study revealed that majority of the small scale farmers have some level of education. The study also identified radio and mobile phones as the most common ICT tools used by small scale farmers. Three main barriers that hinders the effective usage of ICT namely attitudinal, accessibility and technical were identified by the study.
2016
Chisama, Benjamin, F., Purdue University, August 2016. Farmers' Use of Mobile Phone Technology for Agricultural Information Services in Lilongwe District, Malawi. Major Professors: Roger Tormoehlen and Neil Knobloch. Mobile phone technology can be a useful tool to provide farmers with relevant and reliable agricultural information for critical farming decisions in developing countries such as Malawi. An increasing number of rural farmers have been faced with information asymmetry challenges due to some pitfalls in the extension systems. In addition, knowledge gaps on farmers’ use of mobile phone technology; their awareness and use of MAIS; and their preferred topics to be delivered using mobile platforms were identified. However, little was known on how farmers were using existing MAIS. This study’s aim was to explore the potential of providing mobile agricultural information services to farmers in Malawi’s Lilongwe District. The mixed research mode was used to capture informati...
2022
Agriculture continues to be the main source of livelihood in developing countries and smallholder farming is the most common type of agriculture practice supporting more than 70% of the population. On the other hand, information and communication technology (ICT) is quickly growing as its helping to connect easier and faster; thus, a dire need to harness it in promoting the agricultural sector. This study investigated the Information Communication Technology Devices for Agricultural Information Dissemination among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda (Rubanda, Mayuge Districts, And Mbarara City). The study adopted a crosssectional research design that comprised a mixed methods approach of quantitative and qualitative. The instrument for this study consisted of structured questionnaires and interviews. More so, available reports and records were explored. The questionnaire was subjected to face and content validity and reliability test. Data collected were analysed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages. Findings show that the leading types of ICT devices for agricultural information dissemination in Rubanda District, Mayuge District, and Mbarara City were mobile phones and radios. The study recommends that the most important information to farmers should always be disseminated via phone conversation, texting, and radio for broadcast agricultural-related programs in respective local languages.
International Journal of humanities and social sciences, 2024
One of the challenges facing small-scale farmers is the dearth of timely and high-quality agricultural information. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of mobile communication technologies in the access, use, and exchange of agricultural information among small-scale farmers in Nyandarua County and to explore how mobile technologies can be integrated into the county's agricultural information systems to help farmers access timely information. The study used a descriptive survey design. Data was collected from 353 farmers and seven agricultural extension officers through questionnaires and structured interviews. The findings revealed that the that the majority of farmers owned mobile devices, which they utilized to get a variety of agricultural information through voice messages, emails, SMS, and mobile apps. The optimal utilization of mobile communication devices by farmers is, however, hampered by poor internet connectivity, costly mobile phones and data bundles, a lack of awareness and training, insufficient access to electricity, and a lack of support from local and national governments. The study concludes that the increase in usage of mobile communication devices among farmers provides many opportunities for agricultural information access, use, and exchange if it were not for the infrastructural challenges. In order to enhance the integration of mobile services with agricultural systems and provide farmers with agricultural information, the study recommends setting up county agricultural data centers. To effectively address infrastructural issues, the county government should work more closely with various stakeholders.