Using information and communication technologies to enhance information sharing for improved fish farming productivity in Tanzania
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Date
2019
Authors
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
The use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in sharing information
is very important in enhancing fish farming productivity among fish farmers. However,
little is known on the linkage that exists between the use of ICTs and fish farming
productivity in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The main objective of this study
was to assess the use of ICTs to enhance information sharing for improved fish farming
productivity in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. Specifically, the study focused on
establishment of the information needs of fish farmers in the study area; analyzing the
influence of ICTs use in sharing agricultural information on fish farming productivity in
the Southern Highlands of Tanzania; examining the determinants of the ICTs usage in
sharing agricultural information among fish farmers in Tanzania, and determining the
challenges facing fish farmers on the use of ICTs in sharing agricultural information.
This cross sectional study was conducted in three regions, namely, Ruvuma, Mbeya and
Iringa and involved twelve divisions purposively selected from six districts. The study
used both quantitative and qualitative approaches in collecting data. Questionnaires,
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), observation and key informants interview were used
as a data collection methods. The study involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly
selected. Moreover, six key informants (one fisheries extension officer in each of the six
districts) and six Focus Group Discussions (eight participants in each of the districts)
were conducted in each district. Quantitative data were analysed with the aid of the
Statistical Product Service SolutionP (SPSS) Version 20 while content analysis was
used to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive statistics were computed to establish the
profile of research participants: information needs, information accessibility, challenges
of ICTs use in information sharing, and fish farming productivity level. The multiple
linear regression was used to establish the influence of ICTs use and fish farming
productivity. Additionally, the ordinal logistic regression model was used to examine the
determinants of ICTs usage by fish farmers. The fish farmers highly needed information
related to water treatment (management), spawning operations and fish preservation and
processing. However, it was found that access to these categories of information was
very low. Mulitple linear regression analysis revealed that the use of ICTs (mobile
phones, radio, and television) for sharing agricultural information was found to influence
fish productivity level (p<0.05). Moreover, it was found through ordinal logistic
regression analysis that the predictors of ICTs use in information sharing were income,
perceived ease of use, quantity of fish produced, attitude, household size, radio
ownership and perceived usefulness. Likewise, the study findings revealed that major
challenges facing fish farmers in sharing information included unfavorable radio or
televisions broadcasting time, high cost of acquiring and maintenance of ICT facilities,
lack of training on ICTs, and poor network connectivity. The study concluded that the
more the frequency the farmers use the ICTs in sharing agricultural information on fish
farming technologies, the more they could be informed about fish farming, and thus the
more they could increase their fish farming productivity. It is recommended to the
Government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), researchers and policy makers
to consider establishing community FM radio stations in the Southern Highland regions
to encourage sharing of agricultural information on fish production and knowledge to the
farmers. It was also recommended that responsible organs like research institutions,
policy makers and information providers should make sure that behavioural factors
(perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness and attitude) that motivate individual
farmers in different communities to accept the use of any ICTs are considered prior to
the introduction of the respective technologies. This could assist responsible organs to
design the ICT models that are relevant to fish farmers’ needs.
Description
The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2019
Keywords
Information Using, Communication technologies, Enhance information sharing, Improved fish farming productivity, Tanzania