Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology Utilization by Small Holder Banana Farmers in Gatanga District, Kenya

Autor/inn/en	Mwombe, Simon O. L.; Mugivane, Fred I.; Adolwa, Ivan S.; Nderitu, John H.
Titel	Evaluation of Information and Communication Technology Utilization by Small Holder Banana Farmers in Gatanga District, Kenya
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 20 (2014) 2, S.247-261 (15 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1389-224X
DOI	10.1080/1389224X.2013.788454
Schlagwörter	Information Technology; Agricultural Production; Agribusiness; Small Businesses; Questionnaires; Agricultural Occupations; Information Utilization; Information Sources; Information Dissemination; Models; Mass Media Use; Use Studies; Barriers; Likert Scales; Foreign Countries; Kenya + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Informationstechnologie; Agriculture; Production; Landwirtschaft; Produktion; Agrarproduktion; Landwirtschaftliche Produktion; Agrarindustrie; Kleingewerbe; Fragebogen; Occupation; Beruf; Landwirtschaftlicher Beruf; Informationsnutzung; Information source; Informationsquelle; Informationsverbreitung; Analogiemodell; Mediennutzung; Benutzerschulung; Likert-Skala; Ausland; Kenia
Abstract	Purpose: The study was carried out to identify information communication technologies (ICTs) used in production and marketing of bananas, to determine factors influencing intensity of use of ICT tools and to assess whether use of ICT has a significant influence on adoption of tissue culture bananas by small-scale banana farmers in Gatanga District, Kenya. Design/methodology/approach: A multi-stage purposive sampling and proportionate allocation technique was used to select 116 respondents. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data. SPSS and STATA were used for descriptive and quantitative analysis. Findings: Radio, television and the mobile phone were found to be the most accessible ICTs and were often used to access information on production or/and marketing of bananas. The least accessible ICTs were computers, internet services and video cassettes. Socio-economic factors like age, gender, income and acreage of bananas planted had an influence on the intensity of use of ICT tools as a source of agricultural information by smallholder banana farmers. Use of ICTs was found to influence adoption of tissue culture (TC) bananas. Low levels of education and distance to internet services were found to be the most constraining to the use of ICT tools. Other constraints included: lack of money to buy internet services, digital cameras and computers. Farmers were of the opinion that radio and the mobile phone were the most useful ICT tools while television, print media, internet/email and video cassettes/DVDs were the least useful as a source of information on banana production. Practical implications: This study elucidates the important role of ICTs in disseminating agricultural information. There is need for the government to demystify ICT training at all levels of education to improve local content development. Reduction of taxes on radio-wave licensing and improving accessibility to affordable and quality handsets will aid in intensifying the use of radio and mobile phones by farmers in acquiring information. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10