Information and knowledge needs, access and use for small-scale farming in Tanzania.
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Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Abstract
This article assesses information and knowledge needs, access and use for
agricultural development in the rural areas of developing countries, with a
specific focus on Tanzania. Data from focus groups and information mapping
and linkage diagrams were used to triangulate with the interview data in order
to bring together the strength of all data sets to validate, confirm and
corroborate findings from various sources. The findings revealed that the
information seeking patterns of farmers were location specific. The major
sources of information for farmers were predominantly local. Most respondents
indicated public extension as an important source of agricultural information.
Private extension services, village meetings and farmer groups were significant
sources of information in some regions. Printed information had low use. The
role of information and communication technologies in providing access to
agricultural knowledge and information, and the application of information and
knowledge on farming systems in the rural areas of Tanzania are also presented. The article concludes with recommendations for improved access to
agricultural knowledge and information in the rural areas of Tanzania.