Theses and Dissertations Collection

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://10.10.97.169:4000/handle/123456789/30

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Browsing Theses and Dissertations Collection by Subject "Agricultural development"

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    Assessment of factors influencing the use of mobile phones in communicating agricultural information: a case of Kilolo district
    (Sokoine Universitry of Agriculture, 2011) Nyamba, Siwel Yohakim
    This study sought to investigate factors that influence the use of mobile phones in the communication of agricultural information in Kilolo district. The study examined the use of mobile phones as a means for achieving agricultural development. The study population comprised all farmers regardless their mobile phone ownership. The study adapted a cross sectional study design and a multistage simple random sampling technique, where, 384 respondents were selected. Data were mainly collected using an interview schedule. The results revealed that majority of respondents used mobile phones and had positive attitude on the contribution of mobile phone in their farming business. The study had three hypotheses to be tested: mobile phones ownership have no statistical significant influence in communicating agricultural information; different types of agricultural information have no statistical significant influence on mobile phones use in communicating agricultural information and; respondents’ socio-economic factors have no statistical significant influence on mobile phones use in communicating agricultural information. The study results indicated that mobile phones offered an attractive solution to farmers’ informational needs. Factors specified to have an influence on mobile phone use in the communication of agricultural information included: mobile phone ownership, type of agricultural information, farming system practiced, network coverage, respondents’ demographic characteristics, and time of mobile phone ownership. As such, all the three hypotheses were rejected. The study concluded that the use of mobile phone to communicate agriculture information depend on mobile phone ownership, type of agricultural information to be communicated and individuals’ socio-economic factors.iii The study therefore recommended that many farmers be encouraged and supported so that they become access to and use mobile phones in their farming business.
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    Factors influencing sustainability of micro-projects under the district agricultural development plans (dadps): a case study of Songea District, Ruvuma Region, Tanzania
    (Sokoine University of Agriculture, 2013) Ngonyani, Zenna A.
    The main objective of the study was to assess factors that influence sustainability of DADPs micro projects in selected villages of Mletele and Mwanamonga in Songea district, Ruvuma region. Specific objectives of the study were to: identify and describe the factors that influence sustainability of DADPs micro projects, assess the perception of farmers on the sustainability of DADPs micro projects and propose sound strategies that will enhance sustainability of DADPs micro projects. A cross sectional design was employed for the study. Stratified random sampling using a table of random numbers was used for the selection of respondents from the sampling frame whereby a sample size of 80 respondents was selected. Data were collected through personal interviews with selected farmers. Findings show that factors influencing sustainability of DADPs micro projects were poor preparation for DADPs, short duration for trainings provided on DADP micro projects, poor follow up of micro projects, lack of competent leaders, and improper group formation. Based on the findings of the study the, following strategies for enhancing sustainability of the DADPs micro projects in Songea district are recommended: Participatory planning should be encouraged in planning of the DADPs, proper farmer group formation should be encouraged, study tours and farmer field days should be adopted as extension methods and FFS should be the basis for agricultural extension methods dissemination.