ICT Based Agricultural Information Distribution Framework For Small Scale Farmers: A Case Of Kondoa District Council

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to develop an ICT based framework that can be able to disseminate agricultural information to small scale farmers at the local levels. The study was conducted in Kondoa District Council. The study used qualitative and quantitative approach. The study adopted cross-section survey design. The sample size was calculated from population of four purposely selected wards of Kondoa District Council. Questionnaire, interview, observation and documentary review were used as an instruments of data collection. The tools used to analyze data were Statistical Package for Social Science 20.0 (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel 2013. The study employed descriptive statistics technique in analyzing data. The findings found revealed that, agricultural information required by small scale farmers were like pest management, use of pesticides, soil improvement, weather forecast, market price, financial management, organic farming, use of fertilizer and best seeds. Also, study revealed that ICT tools owned by small scale farmers were radio, mobile phone, television, CD/DVD player and computer. The best ICT tool for disseminating agricultural information was mobile phone. Furthermore, this study revealed that the preferred format of information by most of the small scale farmers were text messages. Finally, ICT based framework was developed based on findings and considering local environment in order to meets major requirements of the small scale farmers. In this framework, the means of disseminating agricultural information were text messages (SMS) and call. The small scale farmer or agricultural extension officer can send SMS query or make a call to the system depending on his/her choice. The system then reply back by responding based on received query. Hence, this proposed framework was developed based local environment to be adopted locally.