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The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic factors influencing the use of
mobile phones in accessing rice information on climate change adaptation by rain-fed farmers in Tanzania
with reference to Morogoro region.
Design/methodology/approach – A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 400
randomly selected rain-fed rice farmers owning mobile phones. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for
data collection in eight selected wards in two districts of Kilombero and Kilosa districts in Morogoro Region,
Tanzania.
Findings – The findings of the study showed that the use of mobile phones to access rice information on
climate change adaptation was statistically significantly influenced by respondents’ sex, age, education level,
marital status, farm size, farming experience, radio ownership and off-farm incomes. Furthermore, the use of
mobile phones in accessing rice information on climate change adaptation among the study districts was not
statistically significant.
Practical implications – This paper provides practical recommendations on how to improve
accessibility of rice information through mobile phones on climate change adaptation. Implementation of
information delivery system to farmers using mobile phones without ascertaining farmers’ socio-
demographic characteristics leads to resource underutilization.
Originality/value – The paper provides appropriate knowledge that is needed in improving access to
information through mobile phones by Tanzanian farmers and in other communities in developing countries
with the aid of the additional theoretical moderators of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as
the research findings suggest. Moderators’ variables have high influence on farmers’ use of mobile phones on
accessing rice information on climate change adaptation. |
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