Women farmers constitute the vast majority of agricultural producers in Tanzania; however, it is ... more Women farmers constitute the vast majority of agricultural producers in Tanzania; however, it is not clear where they obtain information on modern farming innovations. Knowing these sources will enable the government and international aid organizations to more effectively channel information for increased productivity, leading to national food security, increased incomes for farm families and promoting gender parity in Tanzania. This study, which was carried out among 300 women farmers in Hai and Kilosa districts of Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions respectively, aimed at identifying their sources of agricultural information. The theory that guided this study was Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations, especially Rogers and Shoemaker’s Source-Message-Channel-Receiver-Effect (SMCRE) model. The study, which yielded a high response rate of 96%, found that radio and agricultural extension workers were the primary sources of agricultural information for women farmers. Therefore, the researchers recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives (MAFC) should focus on community radio as the primary source of information dissemination to farmers and supply rural households with solar-powered radios free of charge or at subsidized cost. The finding that extension workers are women farmers’ second main source of information on farming innovations also defeats the general contention that male extension workers are inaccessible to female farmers. A peculiar finding was that even though women farmers have access to mobile phones they do not use them to obtain agricultural information, perhaps, because the MAFC does not have a system for farmers to call in for information.
The planning of agricultural and rural development programs, such as integrated rural development... more The planning of agricultural and rural development programs, such as integrated rural development programs (IRDPs) or National Poverty Reduction Strategy Programs (NPRSPs), in recent tears has become increasingly complex, drawing on general systems theory. However, extension workers often charged with the implementation of these programs lack the sophistication to cope. This paper calls for strengthening the capacity of extension workers in they role as development facilitators.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 15575330709489839, Dec 1, 2009
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-development projects in an attempt to stabilize declining economies and support long-term community viability. This study uses a comparative case-study design to assess the effectiveness of the community-action processes that five communities used to create telecommunications self-development projects. The study identifies six organizational and community processes that made it more likely for a telecommunications self-development project to succeed. Among the key findings are that a strong public-private partnership in the project's development and a decentralized project model enhanced project success. Unexpectedly, the local university s leadership of the project was related to decreased success. These factors provide valuable lessons for other types of community development projects.
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, rural US communities began investing in local telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, rural US communities began investing in local telecommunications self-development projects in anticipation of market and policy failure to provide advanced telecommunications services. This study examines whether self-development projects were effective in encouraging local adoption of new telecommunications services by businesses and residents as compared to control communities. Results show that the projects had some effect. However, the study also found that market forces provided similar services in the control communities more quickly than anticipated, and after four years, differences in adoption between project and control communities were generally not significant. This raises questions about whether investments in such projects are justified. Residents of project communities did, however, have significantly more positive attitudes towards new technologies.
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-development projects in an attempt to stabilize declining economies and support long-term community viability. This study uses a comparative case-study design to assess the effectiveness of the community-action processes that five communities used to create telecommunications self-development projects. The study identifies six organizational and community processes that made it more likely for a telecommunications self-development project to succeed. Among the key findings are that a strong public-private partnership in the project's development and a decentralized project model enhanced project success. Unexpectedly, the local university s leadership of the project was related to decreased success. These factors provide valuable lessons for other types of community development projects.
... First, there are the defenders of the dominant Western or American way of fanning-of highly s... more ... First, there are the defenders of the dominant Western or American way of fanning-of highly specialized, mechanized, chemical intensive, science-based ... The mass media were not considered a major factor in promot-ing the acceptance of sustainable agriculture practices by ...
Abstract: The study reported here sought to determine sustainable agriculture farmers' perce... more Abstract: The study reported here sought to determine sustainable agriculture farmers' perceived attitude towards Extension. A random sample of 99 sustainable agriculture farmers in Ohio showed a highly favorable attitude towards Extension and an expression ...
Women farmers constitute the vast majority of agricultural producers in Tanzania; however, it is ... more Women farmers constitute the vast majority of agricultural producers in Tanzania; however, it is not clear where they obtain information on modern farming innovations. Knowing these sources will enable the government and international aid organizations to more effectively channel information for increased productivity, leading to national food security, increased incomes for farm families and promoting gender parity in Tanzania. This study, which was carried out among 300 women farmers in Hai and Kilosa districts of Kilimanjaro and Morogoro regions respectively, aimed at identifying their sources of agricultural information. The theory that guided this study was Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations, especially Rogers and Shoemaker’s Source-Message-Channel-Receiver-Effect (SMCRE) model. The study, which yielded a high response rate of 96%, found that radio and agricultural extension workers were the primary sources of agricultural information for women farmers. Therefore, the researchers recommend that the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Cooperatives (MAFC) should focus on community radio as the primary source of information dissemination to farmers and supply rural households with solar-powered radios free of charge or at subsidized cost. The finding that extension workers are women farmers’ second main source of information on farming innovations also defeats the general contention that male extension workers are inaccessible to female farmers. A peculiar finding was that even though women farmers have access to mobile phones they do not use them to obtain agricultural information, perhaps, because the MAFC does not have a system for farmers to call in for information.
The planning of agricultural and rural development programs, such as integrated rural development... more The planning of agricultural and rural development programs, such as integrated rural development programs (IRDPs) or National Poverty Reduction Strategy Programs (NPRSPs), in recent tears has become increasingly complex, drawing on general systems theory. However, extension workers often charged with the implementation of these programs lack the sophistication to cope. This paper calls for strengthening the capacity of extension workers in they role as development facilitators.
Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 15575330709489839, Dec 1, 2009
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-development projects in an attempt to stabilize declining economies and support long-term community viability. This study uses a comparative case-study design to assess the effectiveness of the community-action processes that five communities used to create telecommunications self-development projects. The study identifies six organizational and community processes that made it more likely for a telecommunications self-development project to succeed. Among the key findings are that a strong public-private partnership in the project's development and a decentralized project model enhanced project success. Unexpectedly, the local university s leadership of the project was related to decreased success. These factors provide valuable lessons for other types of community development projects.
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, rural US communities began investing in local telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, rural US communities began investing in local telecommunications self-development projects in anticipation of market and policy failure to provide advanced telecommunications services. This study examines whether self-development projects were effective in encouraging local adoption of new telecommunications services by businesses and residents as compared to control communities. Results show that the projects had some effect. However, the study also found that market forces provided similar services in the control communities more quickly than anticipated, and after four years, differences in adoption between project and control communities were generally not significant. This raises questions about whether investments in such projects are justified. Residents of project communities did, however, have significantly more positive attitudes towards new technologies.
ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-... more ABSTRACT In the mid-1990s, many U.S. rural communities began engaging in telecommunications self-development projects in an attempt to stabilize declining economies and support long-term community viability. This study uses a comparative case-study design to assess the effectiveness of the community-action processes that five communities used to create telecommunications self-development projects. The study identifies six organizational and community processes that made it more likely for a telecommunications self-development project to succeed. Among the key findings are that a strong public-private partnership in the project's development and a decentralized project model enhanced project success. Unexpectedly, the local university s leadership of the project was related to decreased success. These factors provide valuable lessons for other types of community development projects.
... First, there are the defenders of the dominant Western or American way of fanning-of highly s... more ... First, there are the defenders of the dominant Western or American way of fanning-of highly specialized, mechanized, chemical intensive, science-based ... The mass media were not considered a major factor in promot-ing the acceptance of sustainable agriculture practices by ...
Abstract: The study reported here sought to determine sustainable agriculture farmers' perce... more Abstract: The study reported here sought to determine sustainable agriculture farmers' perceived attitude towards Extension. A random sample of 99 sustainable agriculture farmers in Ohio showed a highly favorable attitude towards Extension and an expression ...
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