ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL...

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SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND AGRIBUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION OF MAIZE IN KILOLO DISTRICT TANZANIA. BY YUSUPH NASIBU AEA/D/12/T/0244 SUPERVISED BY MR. C.G MAGOMBA FEBRUARY, 2015

Transcript of ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL...

SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND AGRIBUSINESS

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION OF MAIZE IN

KILOLO DISTRICT TANZANIA.

BY

YUSUPH NASIBU

AEA/D/12/T/0244

SUPERVISED BY

MR. C.G MAGOMBA

FEBRUARY, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................iCHAPTER ONE..................................................1INTRODUCTION.................................................11.0 Background of the study..................................11.1 Problem statement and justification......................21.2 Objectives of the study..................................31.2.1General objective...........................................31.2.2 Specific Objectives........................................3

1.3 Hypotheses...............................................3CHAPTER TWO..................................................4LITERATURE REVIEW............................................42.0 Role of information in Agriculture.......................42.1 Sources of agricultural information for maize farmers....42.2 Contribution of ICT in accessing Agricultural Information 5

2.3 The Challenges facing maize farmers in accessingagricultural information.....................................7CHAPTER THREE................................................8RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.........................................83.0 Overview.................................................83.1 Description of the Study Area............................83.2 Research Design..........................................83.3 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size......................83.4 Data collection and Analysis.............................93.4.1 Primary Data...............................................93.4.2 Secondary Data.............................................9

3.4.3 Data Analysis..............................................9

3.5 SOURCES OF FUND AND BUDGET..............................10Table: 3 Budgets............................................103.6 SCHEDULE ACTIVITES 2014-2015............................11

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Table: 4 Schedule of Activities.............................11REFERENCES..................................................12APPENDICES..................................................17APPENDIX I: Data Collection and Analysis....................17Table: 1 Data Collection Table Summary......................17APPENDIX II: Questionnaire..................................18

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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Background of the study

Maize is the major and most preferred staple food in Tanzania

(AATF, 2010). It accounts for 31 per cent of the total food

production and constitutes more than 75 per cent of the cereal

consumption in the country. Maize represents about 30 per cent

of the value of crop production in the country and 10 per cent

of total value added in agricultural sector respectively.

Maize also is not only a staple food crop in surplus regions

but a cash crop as well. For instance, in the Lake zone, maize

competes aggressively with cotton for land, labour, and

farmers (Sassi, 2004).

Agricultural information is a knowledge concerning

agriculture; it enhances transparency in the agricultural

sector. Accordingly an agricultural information system

consists of components (subsystems), information related

processes (generation, transformation, storage, retrieval,

integrations, diffusion and utilization), and in addition the

information exchange (communication) through networks is

critically important for successfully technology generation

and information transfer (IAALD, 2011)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) advances since

the end of 20th century (NICTP, 2003). Pigato (2001) explain

that the current wave of globalization towards integration of

markets is spurred by the development of ICT including the

Internet, Mobile phones, and Satellite Networks. History has

shown that ICT can enable the realization of social1

development objectives to the extent that they can enable

appropriate and long lasting style changes (Mallaliev et al.,

2010). Thus the use of ICT take into accounts not only the

technologies itself but also the ultimate development

objective and other factors which have an impact on

sustainability.

In Africa, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a direct

link between ICT’s and development. Ngwenyama et al., (2006)

argues that recent studies have found a positive correlation

between investment in ICT’s and economic growth in development

countries, but evidence for developing countries is not as

extensive.

There is enormous hope that electronic ICTs can serve as an

effective tool to address the perpetual problem of information

asymmetry in the VC of agricultural products and agro-inputs

in developing countries. Consequently, several donors and

international agencies, including the World Bank and the Food

and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) are

promoting the use of e-based ICTs in smallholder agriculture

(Kadigi et al., 2013)

The importance of ICTs in development process was long

recognized and access to ICTs Was even made one of the targets

of the Millennium Development Goal No. 8 which emphasizes the

benefits of new technologies, especially ICTs in the fight

against poverty. With 10 percent increase in high-speed

internet connections, economic growth Increases by 1.3 percent

(World Bank, 2009). It is also observed that connectivity

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whether the internet or mobile phones is increasingly bringing

market information, financial services, and health services to

remote areas, and is helping to change people's lives in

unprecedented ways (World Bank, 2009).

Since agriculture is widely accepted as the foundation stone

of the economy of many countries. Many countries have not

successfully developed their economies without first

modernizing their agricultural activities. In Tanzania,

agriculture contribute 27% of GDP and 30% of total exports

with approximately 80% of Tanzania depend on agriculture for

living, (Koloseni and Shimba, 2012). This necessitates the

government of united republic of Tanzania to modernise

agricultural activities for economic development.

Improvement in agricultural activities involves a number of

key issues. It is not only about offering fertilizers,

tractors, power tillers, seeds and other agricultural

instruments to farmers but also extends to other issues such

as easy access to markets, extension services provision,

payment systems, supply chain management, training to farmers,

extension officers, change in organization structure and

traditional work practices, just to mention few (FAO, 2001)

1.1 Problem statement and justification

One of the big challenges facing the agriculture sector in

Tanzania is poor communication infrastructure (Koloseni and

Shimba, 2012). Taking into consideration that most of the

agricultural activities are practised in rural areas where

there is poor communication infrastructure. Poor

infrastructure make very difficult for transmitting of3

information regarding diseases outbreak, poor accessibility of

other information which are utmost important to maize

producers such as weather forecast, market prices, seeds and

fertilizers availability.

Recent development in ICT in Tanzania such as construction of

National ICT backbone, availability of mobile services, radio

and television transmission even in rural areas and

availability of tele-centres in rural areas can serves as a

framework for ICT service delivery related to agriculture

activities ( Koloseni and Shimba, 2012)

According to Durutan (1999) agricultural producers already

know that information is important and valuable and all they

need is its timely accessibility in order to improve

agricultural production. Although different reviews show the

importance of information and their sources in different

discipline but still very little is known about the

contribution of ICT in accessing agricultural information of

maize in Kilolo district Tanzania.

1.2 Objectives of the study

1.2.1General objectiveThe main objective of this research is to assess the

contribution of ICT in accessing agricultural information in

maize production.

1.2.2 Specific Objectivesi. To determine the contribution of ICT in increasing

the production of maize.

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ii. To identify the social-economic factors limiting

maize producers to get agriculture information.

iii. To determine the accessibility of farmers to the

source of information.

1.3 Hypotheses

i. There is low contribution of ICT in accessingagricultural information of maize

ii. There are social economic factors limiting maizefarmers to get information

iii. Low access of maize farmers to the informationsources

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.0 Role of information in Agriculture

Information is crucial for increasing agricultural production

and improving marketing and distribution strategies (Oladele,

2006). Information has consistently been a significant element

in the development of human society and has shaped over a long

period of time the way in which we think and act (Meyer,

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2005). Information also opens windows of giving out

experiences, best practices, sources of financial aids and new

markets. By the same token, information enables farmers to

make informed decisions regarding production and marketing and

managing their lives successfully to cope with everyday

problems and to realize their opportunities (Matovelo, 2008;

Jerome and Theresa, 2009). As discussed by Aina et al (1995),

information has a vital part to play in improving and

sustaining agricultural production of any country or nation.

Also, Ochieng (1999) asserts that access to information is a

vital tool for empowering individuals to make informed

decisions or take action for them or for community

development. Supporting the above views, Durutan (1999), had

stated that agricultural producers already know that

information is important and valuable and all they need is its

timely accessibility in order to improve agricultural

production. According to Camble (1994), and Sturges and Neill

(1990), lack of adequate and relevant information has impacted

negatively on any development process including agriculture.

Ferris (2005) adds that access to accurate, timely and

appropriate information enables farmers to make better

decisions about what to produce, when to produce and where to

sell it than those who do not have such information.

Similarly, Byamugisha et al., (2008) note that the possible

benefits of using current agricultural information are

improvement in farming techniques and knowledge of when to use

manure or fertilizer, how to treat diseases and what crops to

plant.

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2.1 Sources of agricultural information for maize farmers

Information source is an institution or individual that

creates or brings about a message (Statrasts, 2004). The

characteristics of a good information source are timelessness,

accuracy, relevance, cost effectiveness, trustworthiness,

usability, exhaustiveness and aggregation level (Statrasts,

2004). The selection of an information source depends on a

number of factors; including level of income, farm size, age,

geographical location, level of education (Riesenberg and Gor,

1999). Using the Indian NSSO 2003 survey, Adhiguru et al (2009)

found that small and marginal farmers accessed less

information and from fewer sources than medium and large Scale

farmers. Ogboma (2010), Meitei and Devi (2009), and Mtega and

Benard (2013),mentions some information sources used by

farmers in accessing their agricultural information

including ; newspapers, journals, bulletins, community

leaders, and famer groups. Another study by Daudu et al. (2009)

reported farmers to use agricultural extensions, posters,

Televisions, and Radio as their source of their information.

Furthermore, a study by (FAO, 1997) revealed that fellow

farmers, neighbors and farmers’ cooperative society used as

preference sources of information used by farmers in accessing

agricultural information. Ogboma (2010) noted the sources of

information used by farmers were personal experience,

workshops and Seminars, training, friends and neighbors,

Ministry of agriculture, magazines of agriculture, extension

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officers, local Government officers, non-Government

organization, libraries of agriculture and posters. The study

by Daudu et al. (2013) in Nigeria further showed that the main

sources of information used by farmers in accessing

agricultural information were Extension agents, Friends, Radio

and Libraries. Similary, Bozi and Ozcatalbas (2010) revealed

that family members, neighbor farmer, extension services,

input providers and mass media were key sources of information

for Turkish farmers. Therefore, in view of the fact that each

farmer prefers certain information sources or channels over

others, it is important to do a thorough study before opting

for an information source and the scope to which the source of

information contributes in accessing agricultural information.

2.2 Contribution of ICT in accessing Agricultural Information

The Information and Communication Technology played a greater

role to enhance the sustainable livelihood of many people in

different parts of the world. According to World Bank (2007)

the contribution of ICT to rural livelihood in three aspects

i.e. Agricultural Extension, Access to market information,

access to weather information, disaster early warning and

country preparedness

1. Agricultural Extension

Extension organizations serve two vital roles in helping rural

communities access and use ICT as tools to improve their

livelihoods. First, these organizations often serve as a

crucial catalyst for awareness raising and advocacy, educating

and mobilizing rural stakeholders to demand strategies,8

policies and investments that will increase their access to

affordable ICT infrastructure and services. Examples from

the Caribbean, Sri Lanka, the Pacific Islands and Egypt

illustrate the valuable role that these organizations and

rural-based initiatives can play in amplifying the voice of

the rural poor in policy decisions and government initiatives

to increase affordable rural access.

By aggregating and educating the demand side, they help both

to express the need for and increase the livelihood of success

of such initiatives by giving government and the private

sector active and eager local partners. Second, these

organizations help the rural poor to understand, adapt and

effectively use these ICT tools and services once they are

available, in ways that will have positive impact on their

incomes and livelihoods (World Bank, 2007).

2. Access to Market Information

Among the wide range of factors shaping the incomes of rural

poor farmers, issues related to market information and

marketing effectiveness are crucial. Improving timely access

to information about market prices, about transport

arrangements and costs, about the locations and desires of

buyers, and about related issues such as weather has a

tangible positive impact on farmer incomes. Traditionally,

farmers have accessed this information largely through social

networks and broadcast media (particularly radio).

Among farmer organizations, SMS systems are proving their

worth by enabling farmers to compare prices in different

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markets and to take a stronger negotiating position when

selling their produce (World Bank, 2011).

However, the spread of the Internet and particularly mobile

phones in rural areas is substantially expanding affordable

and timely access to relevant and accurate market information,

with positive effects both on farmers' incomes and on the

performance of rural agricultural markets overall hence

improve rural livelihood (World Bank, 2007).

3. Access to Weather Information, Disaster Early Warning and

Country Preparedness

The poor, especially the rural poor, are particularly

vulnerable to the negative effects of extreme weather and

natural disasters. Yet accurate forecasting and timely

warning can mitigate the effects of natural disasters such as

floods, and improved weather forecasting can improve crop

yields and lessen the effects of severe weather or drought.

ICT has a crucial role to play in all links of the chain, from

detection to modelling and forecasting to advance warning and

localization. Also ICT-enabled services often use multiple

technologies to provide Information by using different models

to provide rural farmers localized (non-urban) forecasts so

that they can prepare for weather-related events. In resource

constrained environments especially, providers use satellites

or remote sensors (to gather temperature data), Internet (to

store large amounts of data), and mobile phones (to

disseminate temperature information to remote farmers cheaply)

—to prevent crop losses and mitigate effects from natural

adversities (World Bank, 2011).10

Yet the vast majority of the poor in developing countries

still have very poor access to such information and very

little advance warning of adverse events. Accurate

forecasting, and the increasingly sophisticated computer

models that undergird it, depend on a vast array of data at a

global scale, and national meteorological organizations play a

key role both as suppliers of data for global forecasting and

as consumers of information and forecasting that they localize

and share (World Bank, 2007).

2.3 The Challenges facing maize farmers in accessing

agricultural information

Several Challenges facing farmers in accessing agricultural

information have been identified. For instance, according to

Aina (1990) revealed that the factors affecting the flow of

agricultural information to farmers in Africa include, the

limited number of radios and television sets, the low literacy

level of farmers, and the inadequate number of personnel

trained in agricultural information. Tologbonse et al. (2008)

found that challenges facing farmers in accessing agricultural

information were outdated information, language barrier, lack

of awareness on existence of different information sources,

lack of funds to acquire information and poor format of

information carrier. Furthermore, the study by Daudu (2009)

pointed out some of the problems encountered by farmers in

Nigeria in accessing agricultural information. These include

financial problems, inadequacy of facilities/professional,

incomplete or irrelevant information. Also, Byamugisha et al.

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(2008), point out the challenges encountered by farmers in

Uganda when searching for agricultural information as lack of

cooperation from fellow farmers in sharing agricultural

information and language barriers Similarly, Babu et al. (2011)

conducted a study on farmers’ information needs and search

behaviors in Tamil Nadu. The findings from this study showed

that the major constraints facing farmers in accessing

information were poor availability, poor reliability, lack of

awareness of information sources available among farmers and

untimely provision of information. Furthermore, Mtega and

Benard (2013) carried out the study on the state of rural

information and communication services in Tanzania. The

findings from the referred study show that, poor/unreliable

information infrastructure, high illiteracy levels, low

income, lack of electricity and high cost of ICTs have limited

the accessibility of information services in rural areas.

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.0 Overview

This section describes methodological aspects related to the

proposed study, where by section 3.1 presents description of

the study area, section 3.2 presents research design, 3.3

presents sampling techniques and sample size, section 3.4

presents data collection and analysis methods.

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3.1 Description of the Study Area

Kilolo is one of the four districts of the Iringa region of

Tanzania. It is bordered to the north and east by the Morogoro

region to the south by Mufindi district and to the west by

Iringa rural district. According to URT ( 2012) the population

of Kilolo district was 218,130.

Kilolo District is administratively divided into twelve wards

which is Dabaga, Idete, Ilula, Image, Irole, Mahenge, Mtitu,

Bagamoyo, Uhambingeto, Ukumbi, Ukwega and Udekwa.

3.2 Research Design

This study will be conducted in a one round survey using

cross-section research design. The cross section research

allows data collection at a single point of the study in one

time. The design is suitable for descriptive study for

determination of impacts between the variables. The design is

based on impacts between the variables. The design is precise

and favourable because of limitation of resource in terms of

time and funds.

3.3 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

Simple random sampling method is employed to get a sample from

both male and female respondent to fill in questionnaires.

Proportionate stratified sampling is applied to get a

proportionate balance of male and female respondent. Two wards

are chosen then from each 20 respondent male and female will

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be chosen randomly to fill the questionnaires. The reason

behind of choosing this sample is the population size of

people in this wards and heterogeneity of this population.

3.4 Data collection and Analysis

3.4.1 Primary DataThe data will be collected using structured questionnaires.

The questionnaires will consist of both open and closed-ended

questions prepared in English and translated in Swahili to

allow easy understand to the respondents.

3.4.2 Secondary DataIn order to obtain the readily available information with

regard to the stated objectives the data is obtained from

documentation of the area of study concerning the stated

objectives.

3.4.3 Data AnalysisPrimary data is summarized and coded before being entered into

computer for processing and manipulation, then Statistical

Package for Social Science (SPSS) will be used during the

analysis of data. Descriptive statistics analysis will be done

by computing frequencies, percentage, measures of central

tendency and measure dispersion The SPSS will ensure the

viability and reliability of data since it is employed to

analyze data from the field.

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3.5 SOURCES OF FUND AND BUDGET

The study will cost 180,000 Tshs which will be provided by

higher education student loan board (HESLB) as detailed

bellow:

Table: 3 Budgets

S/NO DESCRIPTION ESTIMATED COST

1 Proposal

preparation,

typing and

printing

20,000.00/=

1 Transport 25,000.00/=

2 Stationary 25,000.00/=

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3 Meals 40,000.00/=

4 Data collection 25,000.00/=

5 Data processing

analysis

10,000.00/=

6 Final report

preparation,

printing and

binding

25,000.00/=

7 Miscellaneous

expenses

10,000.00/=

Total 180,000.00

3.6 SCHEDULE ACTIVITES 2014-2015

Table: 4 Schedule of Activities

S/ ACTIVITIES NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY

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N1. Preparation of

research proposal and questionnaires

2. Research proposal submission

3. Collection of data

4. Data analysis5. Final report

writing6. Submission of

the final report

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX I: Data Collection and Analysis

Table: 1 Data Collection Table Summary

Specific Objectives Data Collection Data Analysis

To determine the

contribution of ICT

in improving maize

production

Questionnaires will

be used as a tool

for data collection,

where by data will

be obtained through

interviewing male

and female

respondent by using

the structured

questionnaires.

Statistical Package

for Social Science

(SPSS) will be used

during the analysis

of data.

To identify the

social-economic

Questionnaires will

be used as a tool

Statistical Package

for Social Science

25

factors limiting

maize producers to

get agriculture

information

for data collection,

where by data will

be obtained through

interviewing male

and female

respondent by using

the structured

questionnaires.

(SPSS) will be used

during the analysis

of data.

To determine the

accessibility of

farmers to the

source of

information

Questionnaires will

be used as a tool

for data collection,

where by data will

be obtained through

interviewing male

and female

respondent by using

the structured

questionnaires.

Statistical Package

for Social Science

(SPSS) will be used

during the analysis

of data.

26

APPENDIX II: Questionnaire

SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AND AGRIBUSINESS

A Questionnaire for the Research on

ASSESSMENT OF CONTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONTECHNOLOGY (ICT) IN ACCESSING INFORMATION OF MAIZE IN KILOLO

DISTRICT TANZANIA.

By: YUSUPH, NASIBU (AEA/D/12/T/0244)

3rd Year Student (Bachelor of Science in agricultural economicsand agribusiness) 2014/2015

I.BACKGROUND INFORMATION (Fill in the spaces provided)

1. Name of respondent…………………………………………………………………..

2. Date of interview……………………………………………………………………..

3. Name of the village ………………………………………………………………….

4. Ward……………………………… ………………………………………………….

5.

Division………………………………………….................................

.......................

II. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS (Tick in the space provided or fill in the space

provided)

6. Age in years……………………………………………

7. Sex: (i) Male ( ) (ii) Female

( )

27

Questionnaire No.

……………..

8. Marital status (i) Single ( ) (ii)

Married ( ) (iii) Divorced ( )

9. What is the level of your education?

(i) Primary education ( ) (ii)

Secondary education ( )

(iii) Diploma ( ) (iv) Certificate (

) (v) Degree ( )

Others (specify)……………………………………………………………………..

10. What is your main occupation?

(i) Peasant ( ) (ii) Business

person ( ) (iii) Public servant ( )

(iv) Others (specify)…………………………………………………………………….

III. HOUSEHOLD ACCESSIBILITY AND USE OF ICT (Tick in the space

provided or fill in the space provided)

11. Do you use and access radio?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

12. Do you use and access TV ‘stations?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

13. Do you own and use mobile phone?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

28

If yes, which kind of mobile phone do you

use?

(i)Internet enable ( ) (ii) Not

internet enable ( ) (iii) I do not know ( )

14. What are the purposes of having mobile phone?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

15. Does the use of mobile phone enhance you in

accessing agricultural information?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

) (iii) I do not know ( )

If yes, what is the most type of information?

(i) Input information ( ) (ii)Marketing

information ( ) (iii) weather information

(iv) Others (specify)………………………………………………………………

16. Do you access and use computer?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

If yes, when did you use computer?

(i) Yesterday (ii) last week (iii) last month (iv)

last year

17. Do you have an e-mail address?

29

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No

( )

If yes, whom are you communicating with via e-

mail?

(i) Extension officer (ii) input supplier (iii)

customer (iv) others………..(mention)

18. Does your income source sufficient handle any ICT

tool?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

19. Do you think the use of ICT tools can increases

efficient in your daily activities?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

20. Does the use of ICT save time in your daily

activities?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

21. Does the use of ICT improve social network?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

IV. CONSTRAINTS TO EFFECTIVE USE OF ICT (Tick in the space provided or

fill in the space provided)

22. What are the challenges facing you on using ICT?

i. …………………………………………………………………………………

ii. …………………………………………………………………………………

iii. …………………………………………………………………………………

30

23. Does the use of ICT more cost fully in your daily

life?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

If yes, how does it cost? …………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………

24. Is there inequality between men and women in your

household to access and control over mobile phone?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No

( )

If yes, who is more accessible?

1). Men ( ) (2) Women ( )

25. Does the ICT infrastructures in Tanzania favorable

to your daily activities?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

If no, what are the challenges?

i. …………………………………………………………………………………

ii. …………………………………………………………………………………

V. IMPACT OF ICT IN ACCESSING AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION (Tick in the

space provided or fill in the space provided)

26. Which type of ICT do you use in your daily

activities?

(i)TVs ( ) (ii) Radio ( )

(iii) Internet ( ) (iv) E-mail ( )

31

(v) Mobile phone ( ) (iv) others………….

(Mention)

27. Does the use of ICT facilitate innovation in your

daily activities?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

28. What do you often communicate via ICT tools i.e.

mobile phones, e-mail?

(i) Social related issues i.e. greetings ( )

(ii) Business information (

)

(iii) All of the above

( )

29. Does the use of ICT help you to access market

information?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

30. Does the use of ICT help you to access to weather

information, disaster early warning and country

preparedness?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No (

) (iii) I do not know ( )

31. Does the use of ICT help you to access input

information?

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

If yes, How?

………………………………….........................................

................

32

32. Do you think the use of ICT can enhance your income

growth?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

33. Does the use of ICT tools improve your production of

maize?

(i)Yes ( ) (ii) No (

)

If yes, How? ………………………………………………………………………

34. Are there any crops your cultivating apart from

maize

(i) Yes ( ) (ii) No ( )

If yes, specify……………………………………………………………………...

35. What are the contributions of using ICT to your

agricultural activities?

i. …………………………………………………………………………………..

ii. …………………………………………………………………………………..

iii. …………………………………………………………………………………..

36. What are the disadvantages of using ICT in accessing

agricultural information?

i. ………………………………………………………………………………......

ii. …………………………………………………………………………………..

iii. ………………………………………………………………………………......

Thank you for filling the questionnaire.

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