6 research outputs found
Gender-based Factors Influencing the Choice of Communication Media for Accessing Agricultural Information in Kilosa and Mvomero Districts, Tanzania
No full textThe study examined socio-economic factors influencing the choice of communication media for accessing agricultural information among gender categories, that is, men, women, and youths in Kilosa and Mvomero districts of Tanzania. Data were collected from a sample of 240 selected farmers. Information was collected using structured and semi-structured interviews, and document reviews. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive, inferential and qualitative approaches. A multinomial logit was estimated to identify socio-economic factors such as age of a farmer in farming, education level, types of assets owned, farmer’s marital status, income and nature of farming enterprise in influencing the choice of communication media for accessing agricultural information among men, women, and youths. Results showed that the choice of either television or video or mobile phones or Internet or leaflets or booklets over radio was not statistically gender based. In addition, the choice of leaflets and television by famers over radio in rural areas was influenced by their education level and income at 1% and 3% level of significance respectively. The increase of 1.5 years in schooling influences the farmer to choose leaflets than radio. Similarly, increase of income by 0.3% influences him/her to choose television rather than radio. The income enables the farmer to increase his/her television purchasing power and meet related operational costs by 2%. Generally, the study concludes that the choice between television, video, mobile phones, Internet, leaflets, or booklets over radio was not influenced by gender. However, farmers with low education and income levels did not choose leaflets and television, respectively. The study recommends that policy-makers should formulate appropriate strategies for motivating farmers with low level of education to read leaflets and mobilizing financial resource to enable the government’s intervention on subsidizing television to boost its usage by low-income farmers for timely access to agricultural information
Communication media preferences by rural communities for acquisition of agricultural information in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA.It has not been established yet whether or not the availability, accessibility and content of communication media and their related factors influence heteregeneous groups in their preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information in rural communities in Tanzania. This study aimed at establishling preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information by rural community members in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts. It comprised a sample size of 240 community members, whereby data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observations and document reviews. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NUD*IST Vivo (Nvivo) computer softwares respectively. Results indicated that availability and accessibility of radio influenced men, women and youths in their preference for the medium; while based on availability of agricultural information that meet their needs: Men preferred broadcast media (radio and television); women preferred booklets, while youths preferred mobile phones. In addition, acceptability of print media was influenced by readability. The study established the readability Flesch index of 54.99 for leaflets and booklets in the study area that had not been established. This means that people with low level of education in the study area had problems in understanding the content of print media. Furthermore, accessibility of leaflets and television was influenced by education level and income of community members. This is an added knowledge in the Preference Theory. Finally, the study identified organisational constraints as most influential constraints to utilisation of communication media. In conclusion, preference for communication media by rural community members is influenced by their availability, accessibility and content of communication media. The study recommends establishing at least one farmers’ resource centre per ward in rural areas to enhance availability of communication media; government intervention to reduce costs of television and its accessories for boosting usage and accessibility of television to low income earners in rural areas, and increasing funds for print media production to facilitate production of quality and readable leaflets and booklets among others
Community Engagement in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Analysis at the Grassroots in Rural Tanzania: A Case of Visual Problem Appraisal for AIDS and Rural Development
No full textMissed grounded analysis of Human Immune Deficiency Virus/ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Analysis (HIV/AIDS) at the grassroots level has led to the persistence of the pandemic in rural areas. This pseudo-experimental study aimed to explore the potentiality of Visual Problem Appraisal of AIDS and Rural Development (VPA A & RD) in supporting grassroots capacity to make informed choices through grounded analysis of the HIV/AIDS problem. Primary data were collected through VPA A & RD workshops, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, physical visits and observations. The secretariat of Matombo Division Farmers Groups’ Local Network (MVIWATAMA) was involved directly in a strategic selection of 20 (14 males and six females) workshop participants from Kifindike, Tawa, Uponda, Kiswira and Konde villages. The collected data, narratives and observations were verified and compared with relevant literature for interpretation and interrelations. The tool was found to be useful in engaging, empowering and supporting small-scale farmers’ informed choices. In addition, findings indicate that the persistence of HIV/AIDS in rural areas is due to improper analysis of the problem and review of HIV/AIDS policy. The study, among other things, recommends the establishment of an HIV/AIDS policy working paper and the incorporation of VPA potential in Tanzania universities’ curricula to enhance critical thinking among graduates
Communication media preferences by rural communities for acquisition of agricultural information in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA.It has not been established yet whether or not the availability, accessibility and content of communication media and their related factors influence heteregeneous groups in their preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information in rural communities in Tanzania. This study aimed at establishling preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information by rural community members in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts. It comprised a sample size of 240 community members, whereby data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observations and document reviews. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NUD*IST Vivo (Nvivo) computer softwares respectively. Results indicated that availability and accessibility of radio influenced men, women and youths in their preference for the medium; while based on availability of agricultural information that meet their needs: Men preferred broadcast media (radio and television); women preferred booklets, while youths preferred mobile phones. In addition, acceptability of print media was influenced by readability. The study established the readability Flesch index of 54.99 for leaflets and booklets in the study area that had not been established. This means that people with low level of education in the study area had problems in understanding the content of print media. Furthermore, accessibility of leaflets and television was influenced by education level and income of community members. This is an added knowledge in the Preference Theory. Finally, the study identified organisational constraints as most influential constraints to utilisation of communication media. In conclusion, preference for communication media by rural community members is influenced by their availability, accessibility and content of communication media. The study recommends establishing at least one farmers’ resource centre per ward in rural areas to enhance availability of communication media; government intervention to reduce costs of television and its accessories for boosting usage and accessibility of television to low income earners in rural areas, and increasing funds for print media production to facilitate production of quality and readable leaflets and booklets among others
Communication media preferences by rural communities for acquisition of agricultural information in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts, Morogoro, Tanzania
No full textA THESIS SUBMITTED IN FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF SOKOINE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE. MOROGORO, TANZANIA.It has not been established yet whether or not the availability, accessibility and content of communication media and their related factors influence heteregeneous groups in their preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information in rural communities in Tanzania. This study aimed at establishling preferences for communication media for acquisition of agricultural information by rural community members in Mvomero and Kilosa Districts. It comprised a sample size of 240 community members, whereby data were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, observations and document reviews. The quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using SPSS and NUD*IST Vivo (Nvivo) computer softwares respectively. Results indicated that availability and accessibility of radio influenced men, women and youths in their preference for the medium; while based on availability of agricultural information that meet their needs: Men preferred broadcast media (radio and television); women preferred booklets, while youths preferred mobile phones. In addition, acceptability of print media was influenced by readability. The study established the readability Flesch index of 54.99 for leaflets and booklets in the study area that had not been established. This means that people with low level of education in the study area had problems in understanding the content of print media. Furthermore, accessibility of leaflets and television was influenced by education level and income of community members. This is an added knowledge in the Preference Theory. Finally, the study identified organisational constraints as most influential constraints to utilisation of communication media. In conclusion, preference for communication media by rural community members is influenced by their availability, accessibility and content of communication media. The study recommends establishing at least one farmers’ resource centre per ward in rural areas to enhance availability of communication media; government intervention to reduce costs of television and its accessories for boosting usage and accessibility of television to low income earners in rural areas, and increasing funds for print media production to facilitate production of quality and readable leaflets and booklets among others
Factors Influencing the Adoption of Sustainable Onion Seed Production Practices by Smallholder Producers in Karatu District, Tanzania
No full textThis study investigated the factors influencing adoption of onion seed production practices by smallholder producers for enhanced sustainable seed production in Mang’ola,Karatu district Tanzania. The study employed a cross-sectional design, utilizing quantitative and qualitative data collected from 86 onion seed producers through questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Findings through Binary Logistic Regression revealed that socio-economic factors such as education level and access to agricultural extension services statistically influenced smallholder producers’ use of sustainable onion seed production practices. In addition, Kandall\u27s Correlation Coefficient indicated an association of socio-economic characteristics of respondents, such as age, marital status, education level, and farm size, having statistical influence on onion seed production per acre. Notably, married farmers and those with larger landholdings tend to produce higher yields. Gender disparities are evident, with male farmers dominating higher production categories, indicating unequal access to resources. The study recommends, improving access to education opportunities, and strengthening agricultural extension services for enhancing use of sustainable onion seed production practices
