Articles, Conferences and Workshop Papers Collection

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Application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar
(2017) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.
This article assesses the application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar. The study was carried out in four purposefully selected wards in Unguja District in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study involved a sample size of 80 respondents. Data were collected by using document reviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observations. Results showed that artisanal fishermen need information and knowledge on weather condition, modern fish capturing methods, market and marketing, fish preservation and processing. The study also found that mobile phones and radio are the most ICTs tools used by the artisanal fishermen. The findings also revealed that communicating information and knowledge through ICT tools was limited by lack of funds, poor network connectivity, lack of training and seminars on the use of ICTs in accessing information and poor coverage on radio and television transmission. It is therefore recommended that the government should support artisanal fishermen in acquiring some of the fishing gears and ICTs tools such as GPS and sonar through subsidizing them.
Application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar
(2017-06) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.
This article assesses the application of ICT tools in communicating information and knowledge to artisanal fishermen communities in Zanzibar. The study was carried out in four purposefully selected wards in Unguja District in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The study involved a sample size of 80 respondents. Data were collected by using document reviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and personal observations. Results showed that artisanal fishermen need information and knowledge on weather condition, modern fish capturing methods, market and marketing, fish preservation and processing. The study also found that mobile phones and radio are the most ICTs tools used by the artisanal fishermen. The findings also revealed that communicating information and knowledge through ICT tools was limited by lack of funds, poor network connectivity, lack of training and seminars on the use of ICTs in accessing information and poor coverage on radio and television transmission. It is therefore recommended that the government should support artisanal fishermen in acquiring some of the fishing gears and ICTs tools such as GPS and sonar through subsidizing them.
Assessment of access and use of school library information resources by secondary schools students in Morogoro municipality, Tanzania.
(2014) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.
The paper reports results of a study on “Access and Use of School Library Information Resources by Secondary Schools Students in Morogoro Municipality Tanzania”. The main objective of this study was to assess access and use of library information resources by students of secondary schools in Morogoro Municipal. The study comprised of the following specific objectives; to investigate access and use of school library information resources by the secondary school students; to determine the level of satisfaction of students towards school library information resources and to find out challenges facing students in the use of school library and how to address such challenges. The study was carried out in five purposefully selected advanced level schools in Morogoro Municipality. Simple random sampling was used to select 30 respondents from each selected school to make a sample size of 150 respondents. The study employed a case study research design and used combination of methods to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was collected by using documentary review, questionnaires, interviews and personal observations. Quantitative data was analysed by using SPSS, while content analysis was adopted for qualitative data. Key findings revealed that the most frequently used library information sources by secondary students are only books and novels. Moreover, other library information resources, such as atlas and maps, dictionaries, novels, audio visuals and poetry were not accessible by students hence those sources were not satisfactory to meet their information needs. The findings further revealed that secondary school students face many constraints in using school library including lack of current and up to date reading materials, restricted reading hours, lack of sitting facilities, and lack of informational professional/ librarian for processing materials. The study conclude that for effective use of Schools Libraries by the secondary school students, there is need for current and adequate school library information resources, provision of accommodation facilities, provision of professional school librarians to manage libraries and conducive reading environment. These could be done in collaboration with all stakeholders in secondary education in the country. However, the study recommended that adequate provision of fund is necessary for the provision of current and up to date information resources and also for the employment of qualified and trained teacherlibrarian.
Challenges associated with the use of information and communication technologies in information sharing by fish farmers in the Southern highlands of Tanzania
(Emerald, 2020) Dulle, F. W.; Lamtane, H.; Benard, R.
Purpose – This paper aims to examine the challenges facing fish farmers in the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in information sharing on fish farming. Design/methodology/approach – This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods. It involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly selected. Questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGDs), observation and key informant’s interviews were used as methods of data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while content analysis was used for qualitative data. Findings – It was found that the most frequently used ICTs by fish farmers in sharing agricultural information were mobile phones, radio and television. Also, the study revealed that major challenges facing fish farmers in sharing information include unfavourable radio or television broadcasting time, high cost of acquiring and maintenance of ICT facilities, lack of training on ICT, poor network connectivity and low level of literacy. Moreover, it was further found that there was negative significant relationship (P < 0.05) between challenges associated with the use and degree of ICT usage by fish farmers. Originality/value – The study is original with the exception of areas where citations have been made. Besides, it provides awareness and understanding of the challenges facing fish farmers in ICT usage in information sharing on fish farming, and this will enable improvement of timely provision and access to relevant information and hence improved fish farming production.
Effective outreach techniques for the promotion of library information resources in academic libraries in Tanzania: A case of Sokoine National Agricultural Library
(University of Nebraska - Lincoln, 2018-02) Malekani, A. W.; Benard, R.
This study examines the techniques for promoting library information resources and services through outreach activities and how librarians and other library patrons perceive the techniques for promoting the resources and services, and the factors affecting the perceptions regarding effectiveness of techniques used. Data were collected using a survey questionnaire that was purposively distributed to students, librarians and members of academic staff. A total of 40 respondents participated in the study. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square Test) using SPSS software V.16. It was found that several techniques are used to promote library resources and services. These include catalogues, displays, print adverts each 7%, followed by e-mails (6%) and workshops, phones, leaflets, and face to face events each 5%. The present position respondent holds were found to influence positively and significantly a number of outreach approaches. It was found that the catalogue was rated effective by 28 (70%) respondents in promoting library services, the website was rated effective by 28 (70%) of respondents and the posters were rated effective by 20 (50%) of respondents. From the study, it can be concluded that the library could invest in the use of most highly rated outreach techniques such as face-to-face events, training sessions, workshops, brochures, catalogue, website, phones, leaflets, adverts, e-mail, classroom instructions, social media, posters and library tours to promote the use of services and resources among the library user community. On the part of respondents, they gave the following opinions to improve outreach services: use of social media and library website updates (61%), frequent email alerts of new arrivals, regular user training, and increased publicity by brochures and leaflets each (13%).
The influence of ICT usage in sharing information on fish farming productivity in the southern highlands of Tanzania
(The International Journal Of Science & Technoledge, 2018-02) Benard, R.; Dulle, F.; Lamtane, H.
The use of ICTs in sharing information is very important in enhancing fish farming productivity among fish farmers. However, little is known on the linkage that exists between the use of ICTs and fish farming productivity in southern highlands of Tanzania. This study was conducted in three regions namely; Ruvuma, Mbeya and Iringa and involved twelve divisions purposively selected from six districts. The study involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly selected; it employed a cross section research design. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches in collecting data. Questionnaires, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), observation and key informants interview were used to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Findings indicate that mobile phone, radio and television were the most used ICTs tools among fish farmers for sharing agricultural information. In addition, the study revealed a higher fish farming productivity in Mbinga and Mufindi districts as compared to Iringa District. Moreover, the use of ICTs (radio, mobile phones and television) for sharing agricultural information was found to influence fish productivity. Furthermore, other factors including income, family size, use of poultry manure as pond fertilizer and pond size had a statistical significant and positive relationship with farmer’s productivity. Thus, it is recommended that the media owners and other information providers should disseminate more agricultural programmes related to fish farming practices and make sure that such information is disseminated during appropriate and convenient time for farmers.
Information needs and accessibility by fish farmers in the southern highlands of Tanzania
(2018) Benard, R.; Dulle, F. W.; Hieromin, L. A.
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the information needs and accessibility for fish farmers in the Southern high lands of Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach – Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used. Semistructured interviews were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data from 240 fish farmers in six selected districts from three regions in Southern high lands of Tanzania. Focus groups and key informants’ interviews were also used to collect qualitative data from 54 fish farmers in the selected districts. Findings – Findings indicated that fish farmers highly needed information related to water treatment (management), spawning operations and fish preservation and processing. However, it was found that access to these categories of information was very low. In addition, findings indicated that age, education and income have a statistical significant and positive relationship with farmer’s information accessibility at p < 0.05. On the other hand, age, amount of fish harvested, education and farming experience had statistical significant and negative relationship with farmer’s information at p < 0.05. Originality/value – The study provides a deep understanding of information needs and accessibility for fish farmers in the in Southern high lands of Tanzania, which will be assisting in in designing focused, needbased and user-oriented information infrastructure in fish farming.
Understanding the knowledge sharing process among rural communities in Tanzania: a review of selected studies
(2013-01) Mtega, W. P; Dulle, F; Benard, R; Mtega, W.P.; Dulle, F.W.; Benard, R.
The study investigated how knowledge sharing process takes place among communities in rural areas in Tanzania. Specifically, the study determined how knowledge was created; assessed how rural people shared knowledge; and evaluated the impacts of social-cultural practices, individual and institutional factors on knowledge creation and sharing. The study also assessed how ICTs were used in knowledge creation and sharing among rural people. The study employed a meta-analysis where studies on knowledge acquisition and sharing among rural people in Tanzania were critically analysed. The findings reveal that rural people created and shared knowledge in need for their day to day activities. Knowledge was created through observations, personal experiences and social interactions and shared mainly through discussions and conversations held on several occasions. Individual, institutional, social-cultural practices and technological factors influenced the knowledge creation and sharing process. It was further established that rural people consulted some knowledge sources more and shared knowledge through formal and informal groups. Decisions on sources consulted were influenced by socio-economic, demographic and geographical factors surrounding rural people. However, the poor link between the knowledge-rich and knowledge- poor units limited the knowledge sharing and creation processes. It is recommended that the link between units creating knowledge and those using it should be improved so that rural communities can easily acquire and share it. Because rural people depend on exogenous knowledge from other institutions, institutional knowledge creation and sharing capacities should be improved to enhance knowledge sharing in rural communities. Rural communities should try to eliminate the individual factors and social-cultural practices hindering knowledge creation and sharing process.
Use of ICTS in sharing agricultural information among fish farmers in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania
(Scecsal, 2018) Benard, R.; Dulle, F.; Lamtane, H.
This paper assesses the use of ICTs in sharing agricultural information among fish farmers in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The main objective of the study was to assess the use of ICTs among fish farmers in sharing agricultural information. Specifically, the study focused on: assessing types of ICTs preferred by fish farmers in sharing agricultural information; determining the degree of ICTs usage among fish farmers in sharing agricultural information; and examining the influence of socioeconomic characteristics on fish farmer’s ICTs preferences. The study was carried out in twelve purposeful selected divisions in six districts of the three regions of Southern Highland of Tanzania namely Ruvuma, Mbeya and Iringa. It involved 240 fish farmers who were randomly selected. The study employed a cross section research design and used quantitative and qualitative research approaches in collecting data. The employed questionnaire, Focus Group Discussion, observation and key informants interview in data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed by using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the aid of SPSS version 20 while qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The study found that mobile phones, radio and television were most used by the fish farmers in sharing agricultural information while the internet was least used. Likewise, results showed that television was the most preferred ICT tool by fish farmers in information sharing. Further results showed that ownership of television had a positive significant relationship with the farmers’ preferences toward its usage at probability level of 0.005. Moreover, the paper concluded 554and recommended that since ICT tools play an important role in communicating and sharing relevant and current agricultural knowledge and information to farmer’s communities, the Government should support fish farmers by subsidizing some costs that more fish farmers can acquire and use them.

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Browsing Articles, Conferences and Workshop Papers Collection by Author "Benard, R."