| dc.creator |
Matovelo, Doris Siima |
|
| dc.date |
2022-10-18T06:07:04Z |
|
| dc.date |
2022-10-18T06:07:04Z |
|
| dc.date |
2008 |
|
| dc.date.accessioned |
2022-10-25T08:50:19Z |
|
| dc.date.available |
2022-10-25T08:50:19Z |
|
| dc.identifier |
http://www.suaire.sua.ac.tz/handle/123456789/4691 |
|
| dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/90061 |
|
| dc.description |
PhD Thesis |
|
| dc.description |
This study aimed at exploring and testing an intervention that could stimulate and
promote the practice of proactive information acquisition by farmers as a strategy for
empowerment, reduction of poverty and improvement of livelihoods. It was conducted
in Morogoro region in Tanzania in two main stages; the situation analysis survey stage
in ten villages, and a longitudinal participatory action-oriented stage which was an
intervention phase in four villages. The Village Information Centre (VIC) model was
established, monitored and evaluated. This was preceded by the pre-intervention
knowledge test in the four research villages and two control villages. Descriptive
statistics and frequency distribution of variables were computed, a chi-square test and a
regression analysis for selected sets of variables were done. The majority of farmers
were between 28-47 years old. Slightly more than half (56%) of all farmers had
completed primary school education. Furthermore, 76% of the farmers had functional
literacy, and 55% of all respondents had a habit of reading at least once in several
months. Close to 90% of all respondents had some printed information in their homes,
with newspapers being the most common item. The VIC was highly acceptable in all
villages, but the age. level of education and gender were significant factors (p < 0.05)
influencing awareness of, visits to and use of the VIC. Farmers revealed diverse and
unmet information needs that were not necessarily related to their agricultural activities.
The “push” phenomenon inherent in some extension approaches may have led most
farmers to develop passive recipience that does not necessarily promote a “pull”
phenomenon. Exposure to information is probably needed in order to stimulate a
demand for information. The VIC initiative has also demonstrated the presence of
reading skills that arc under-utilized. This is a challenge and opportunity for information
professionals. Therefore it is recommended that documentary information workers
prepare a strategy, which will have a complementary role to the regular extension
services, on enhancing the practice of proactive information acquisition by farmers for
their own empowerment and improvement of their livelihoods. |
|
| dc.description |
Government of Belgium through
Interuniversity Development Cooperation, SUA-VL.I.R |
|
| dc.format |
application/pdf |
|
| dc.language |
en |
|
| dc.publisher |
SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE |
|
| dc.subject |
Enhancing farmers’ access |
|
| dc.subject |
Agricultural information |
|
| dc.subject |
Morogoro region |
|
| dc.subject |
Livelihoods |
|
| dc.title |
Enhancing farmers’ access to and use of agricultural information for empowerment and improved livelihoods: a case of Morogoro region, Tanzania |
|
| dc.type |
Thesis |
|