Role of informal agricultural information dissemination networks in poverty alleviation in Njombe district, Tanzania
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Date
2008
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Informal agricultural information dissemination networks are essentially an extension
system, which involves informal mechanisms of information diffusion among farmers
often from primary source of information to another. This study examined the interaction
between extension agents, farmers within the framework of farmer-to-farmer sharing
informal information and in turn of information exchange, contributes to increase
awareness and income to receivers. The study was carried out in five divisions of Njombe
district whereby, a cross-sectional design was adopted and structured questionnaires were
administered to a 100 representative sample selected randomly. The Statistical Package
for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for data coding and analysis. Informal
agricultural information dissemination networks have an influence on farmer’s household
income hence alleviate poverty. Some well-interacted farmers applied the information
obtained from their fellow hence adopted agricultural technologies to get more yield.
About (94%) respondents’ skills, farm production, livestock production, secured revenue
ranged from 10 000 - 10000 OOOTshs. Some (19%) informal information beneficiaries
have expanded there farming areas to more than six acres, shops and others
entrepreneurship activities including owning valuable assets like milling machines.
Informal information adopters have brought impact on neighbouring farmers and 41 %
from them applied improved techniques sourced from their fellow farmers. Unlike (5%)
non-interacted farmers were found to lag behind in yield and income. However (72%) of
farmers sold their crops to middlemen and businessmen at their fields or homes due to
lack of markets. It was concluded that informal information has significant economic
contribution to household income derived from agricultural crops and livestock to well
interacted people. This draws attention to the government to improve extension delivery
services, raising farmers morale through adequate input subsidies, acquire enough extension workers and improve their work morale. While district authorities should
improve infrastructures including market centers and rural roads for effective business
operation.
Description
Master's Theses
Keywords
Informal agricultural, Information dissemination networks, Poverty alleviation, Njombe district, Tanzania