Public agricultural extension systems often fail due to inadequate consultation of farmers about their information needs and poor understanding of their information search strategies. In discussing and implementing extension programs and advisory services, the following questions need to be addressed: What information do the farmers need? How and where do they search for information? What factors determine their search behavior? How much are they willing to pay for information? While the first two questions are addressed fairly well in the literature, the latter two have not yet been dealt with in the context of developing countries. Using a case study of two districts in South India, we examine farmersâ€™ information needs and information search behavior, factors affecting their search behavior, and their willingness to pay for information. Cluster analysis on access, frequency, and use of information sources identified four farmer information search behaviorsâ€”high, medium, semi-medium, and low. The groups differed significantly by postâ€“high school studies, household economic status, cultivated land area, agricultural income, and membership in a farmer-based organization (FBO) and a primary agricultural cooperative bank (PACB). We use these four information search behavior clusters to examine differences in information needs, sources used, and preferred sources. The important information needs relating to rice included pest and disease management, pesticide and fertilizer application, seed variety, and seed treatment. Rice production practices and credit information were more important for the low search group. Private input dealers and the state department of agricultural extension staff were the main information sources, though use of these two sources decreased with greater information searching. High and medium searchers used a greater number of sources, which also included print media and television. The major constraints to information access, common to all search groups, were poor reliability and timeliness. The preferred medium for obtaining information was interpersonal contacts, followed by information via mobile phones, where a helpline or voice messages were preferred over short message service (SMS). A contingent valuation technique revealed that farmersâ€™ willingness to pay for voice-based mobile phone messages was low. The results show that tailoring the delivery of agricultural information to the different information search behaviors of farmers is important for extension programs to consider.

Farmers' information needs and search behaviors: Case study in Tamil Nadu, India

This paper aims at investigating the Barriers in Accessing Agricultural Information in Tanzania with a Gender Perspective: The Case Study of Small-Scale Sugar Cane Growers in Kilombero District. The study was carried out in three purposefully selected villages and five institutions in Kilombero District, Morogoro Region. The study used a sample size of 83 respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used. Data were collected by using documentary review, interviews through structured questionnaires, face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and personal observations. Quantitative data were analysed by using SPSS and Microsoft Excel Spread Sheet, while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis procedure. The results of the study revealed that lack of access to the current, relevant and appropriate agricultural information in the rural areas has led to the stagnation of growth of sugar cane produced by small-scale growers. The study findings also revealed that the barriers to accessing agricultural information in the study area are associated with the lack of means and facilities by which information can be easily accessed. It is therefore recommended that means and facilities by which growers can access agricultural information are put in place, rural women empowerment and involvement in the decision-making process at all stages, and the provision of agricultural information to rural farmers should be gender sensitive.

Barriers in Accessing Agricultural Information in Tanzania with a Gender Perspective: The Case Study of Small-Scale Sugar Cane Growers in Kilombero District

IntroductionAgriculture is the backbone of Africa's economy. According to ECA (2007), about 70% of Africans and roughly 80% of the continent's poor live in rural areas and depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The sector accounts for about 20 % of Africa's GDP, 60% of its labour force and 20% of all merchandise exports. Agriculture is the main source of income for 90% of rural populations in Africa. For example, in Tanzania, the agricultural sector provides 85% of exports, employs 85% of the workforce contributes, 75% of foreign exchange earnings and contributes about 25.8% to national GDP (URT, 2008).Paddy/rice is the second most important commercial and food crop in Tanzania after maize. The crop is among the major sources of employment, income and food security for Tanzania farming households. Tanzania is the second largest producer of rice in Southern Africa after Madagascar with production level of 818,000 tones (JICA 2007). However, Tanzanian rice productivity is lower than most neighboring countries and one of the lowest in the world (European Union, 2010). About 71 % of the rice is grown in Tanzania is produced under rain fed conditions, irrigated land presents 29 % of the total with most of it in small village level traditional Irrigations. The average yield is very low, 1-1.5 t per ha.(RLDC 2009).According to RLDC (2009) most of the rice farmers lack information on the improved seeds hence stick to traditionally preferred varieties which are not economically efficient but have prominent aromatic and palatability characteristics. Ozowa, (1995) stated that the vital role played by scientific and technical information for agricultural and industrial development in developing countries is still neglected and accorded a lower status compared to other sectors. In addition, most of the farmers including rice farmers in Africa lack access to modern processing technology and market information (Matovelo, 2008). Ferris (2005) argues that in most African countries lack of accurate and relevant agricultural information by small- scale farmers is a major factor constraining efforts to improve the agriculture sector.Statement of the research problemIn agriculture, the role of information in enhancing agricultural development cannot be over emphasized. Bachhav (2012) stated that, the use of information in agriculture sector is enhancing farming productivity in a number of ways. Providing information on weather trends, best practice in farming, timely access to market information helps farmer make correct decisions about what crops to plants and where to sell their product and buy inputs. According to Richardson et al. (1998) the information needs of farmers change from time to time due to changing agricultural technologies, environmental changes, agricultural policies, and the emergence of agricultural innovations. Yet, there is in adequate information for rice farmers of Kilombero district, Tanzania. That is why Babu et al. (2011) had stated that a better understanding of farmers' agricultural information needs and information sources could help guide extension and other agricultural programs to better target specific groups of farmers. Therefore, this is the gap that this study seeks to fill.OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:The major objectives of the study were:* To find the information needs of the rice farmers.* To find out the source of information used by the rice farmers* To examine the challenges faced by rice farmers in meeting their information needs* Recommend measures to improve delivery of information services to the farming communities for better rice productivity in the study areaLITERATURE REVIEWRole of Information in AgricultureInformation has consistently been a significant element in the development of human society and has shaped over a long period of time the way in which we think and act (Meyer, 2005). Information is crucial for increasing agricultural production and improving marketing and distribution strategies (Oladele, 2006). …

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Assessment of Information Needs of Rice Farmers in Tanzania; a Case Study of Kilombero District, Morogoro

The study investigated the factors influencing accessibility of rural information services in Tanzania. Specifically the study identified the types of information services provided in rural areas; identified the sources of information used by rural people and determined the barriers to accessibility of information services in rural areas in Tanzania. The study employed a meta-analysis methodology where studies on information services in rural areas in Tanzania were analysed. Findings of the analysis were then compared and contrasted to see the similarities and differences. It was found that there were several information sources used in rural areas ranging from simple face to face communication to modern interactive ICTs including the mobile phones. Despite the availability of a number of information sources, several factors limited the accessibility of information services in rural areas. Findings show that high illiteracy levels, poor/unreliable information infrastructure, low income, lack of electricity and high cost of ICTs have limited the accessibility of information services in rural areas. Others factors including the use of difficulty languages when repackaging information, lack of time to access information and geographical isolation to have also limited some from accessing information services in rural areas. The study recommends that in-order to improve the access to information services in rural areas, it is important to deal with both individual and institutional factors which limit access to information. It is also important to conduct audience research oftenly that appropriate information can be delivered to the right people.

The state of rural information and communication services in Tanzania: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: The present age has been rightly called as an Information Age. Information has become the most important element for progress in society. According to Kemp "information has been described as the fifth need of man ranking after air, water, food and shelter". Everyone needs information about everything even in his day to day life. In agriculture environment, relevant and timely information helps farmers community to take right decision to sustained growth of agriculture activity. Use of information in agriculture sector is enhancing farming productivity in a number of ways. Providing information on weather trends, best practice in farming, timely access to market information helps farmer make correct decisions about what crops to plants and where to sell their product and buy inputs. India is an agriculture based country with farming and related activities constituting to a huge chunk of the GDP and employment. According to Malhan & Rao (2007), the Indian agriculture sector provides employment to about 65% of the labour force, accounts for 27% of the GDP and contributes 21% of total exports and provides raw material to several industries. Therefore information is a powerful tool in addressing the agricultural needs and if it is used properly it could be change nations economic. Background of the Study. The study is carried out in Yeola tahasil (sub-district) is located to the east of Nasik district of Maharashtra State of India. A brief description of the demographic information of the state, district and tahasil (sub-district) provides the background and context of the study. Maharashtra: Maharashtra is the third largest state regarding the geographical area and second largest state in respect of population in India. The state is famous for Industrial sector and Mumbai, its capital which is also known as financial capital of India. It is located in the northern centre part of India, surrounded by the Arabian sea in the west, Gujarat and the Union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli to the northwest, Madhya Pradesh to the northeast, Chhattisgarh to the east, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to the south, and Goa to the southwest. The unique feature of the state is a series of crowning plateau which is lying between the Arabian Sea and the Sahayadri range, Konkan is narrow coastal lowland and Satpura hills along the northern border and Bhamragad-Chiroli-Gaikhuri ranges on the eastern border. Maharashtra state is comprise 35 districts which are grouped into six divisions for administrative purpose. As per the 2011 census, Maharashtra has a population of 112,372,972 registering a population density of 365 per sq. kms. Out of the total population males constitute 58.3 millions and females constitute 54.0 millions. Nasik District- It is fourth largest and industrialized district in the Maharashtra. It has holy cities of the Hindu tradition. As per census 2011 Nasik had population of 6,109,052 of which male and female were 3,164,261 and 2,944,791 respectively. Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the district with about 74 % of the population depending on it. It also accounts for the major share of their economic activity. Nashik is the famous for the production of grapes. Nasik is a Asia's leading market for onions and tomatoes. Yeola: Yeola tahasil the drought prone area of the Nashik district located at the South-Eastern part of District. It is one of the parts of Deccan plateau. According to census 2001, the population of the Yeola urban and rural area is 235000; out of the total population 192000 are living in the rural area and 43000 living in urban area. Agricultural is the main occupation of majority of the people and the main crop are wheat, onion, cotton, maize, and vegetables. Moreover it is known for the birth place of the revolutionary leader Tatya Tope. Keeping the above facts in the view, a survey was conducted on rural farmer information needs and which sourced widely used by the farmer for satisfying of their information needs. …

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Information Needs of the Rural Farmers: A Study from Maharashtra, India: A Survey

bAttempts to find out the information needs of the persons engaged in the agricultural activities particularly farmers community in the rural areas of Manipur. Data on farmers information needs were collected by using pre-tested semi structured questionnaire and data processed and analyzed through Minitab-software. The paper highlights the channels of getting information by rural farmers’ community in order to fulfill their information needs. The observations of the present study have also revealed that rural farmers community need a variety of information but the required information for their day to day agricultural activities are unmet. Considerable work and efforts are needed for imparting information support for sustainable agricultural development with the application of emer ging information and communication technologies for information oriented and socio-economic empowerment of the rural farming community.

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Farmers information needs in rural Manipur: an assessment

The paper discusses the Open Access Initiatives for global access, repository, preservation, and organized management of networked information services in a distributed environment where both the users and resources are at varied locations. The paper highlights various initiatives of Institutional Repositories and Digital Library in the country. The Paper also discusses the necessity of DSpace Digital Library Software for Digital Library Initiatives and OAI-PMH (Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting) in Open Archives Initiative.

Open Access to Information and Knowledge : An Initiative of Institutional Repositories and Digital Library in India

An attempt has been made to study the IT awareness of the user community in the State of Manipur. The paper highlights the information needs and dependence of information on Community Information Centres (CIC) are analysed. The conclusion focuses on the considerable work and effort needed for imparting computer literacy, information literacy for preparing and powering the masses for the construction of knowledge based society. Further, according to the requirements of the user community, content preparation is necessary and it has been suggested that, the information available on internet may update on a frequent basis usually in local language for the benefit of local communities.

L. Shanta Meitei

Papers

Farmers information needs in rural Manipur: an assessment

Open Access to Information and Knowledge : An Initiative of Institutional Repositories and Digital Library in India

User Needs : A Case Study of Community Information Centres of Manipur State