A framework for strengthening agricultural knowledge systems for improved accessibility of agricultural knowledge in Morogoro Region of Tanzania

Abstract

Access to agricultural knowledge has been a serious challenge among farmers in Tanzania. To overcome this, various strategies have been implemented, but few have managed to limit the effect of the problem. The current study was set to design a framework for strengthening agricultural knowledge systems (AKS) with the view to improve access to agricultural knowledge among agricultural stakeholders in Tanzania. Furthermore, the study identified actors in agricultural knowledge systems and determined factors influencing the efficiency of AKS. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires directed to 314 farmers and 57 AKS actors among agricultural researchers, agricultural extension staff, policy makers, village executives and input suppliers. Findings indicate that individual experience and involvement of actors influence agricultural knowledge creation. Accessibility of agricultural knowledge was influenced by: awareness of knowledge and its sources, ownership of communication tools, affordability of mobile phone tariffs, level of development of knowledge infrastructure, time that radio/TV agricultural programmes were aired, membership in farmers’ groups/associations and provision of agricultural extension services. To strengthen usage of AKS, this study proposes a framework for improving the performance of agricultural knowledge processes and knowledge accessibility. It is hoped that the framework will assist in guiding agricultural actors in sharing knowledge.

Livelihood impacts of Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania sesban: Supplementary feed in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

“…Farmers in the nutrition and combined groups were significantly more knowledgeable and aware of good dairy nutrition practices compared to the comparison and reproduction groups (Figure 2 and Table 7), which demonstrates a benefit of the nutrition intervention. Better knowledge of dairy nutrition would promote better onfarm and off-farm decision-making, thus resulting in more efficient farm management and increased profits, leading to improved livelihoods (Chapman et al, 2003;Mtega, 2017). Moreover, farmers in the nutrition and combined groups reported that agroforestry could be a sustainable land use system (Table 7).…”

Implementation of Android Application as Knowledge Management for Agriculture Farmers

“…Knowledge implementing is the highest dimension of knowledge, meaning that mango farmers are able to implement knowledge on various things, such as a) land with stagnant water on the surface, drainage channels must be made, b) storage of fertilizers and pesticides must be separated based on their respective packaging labels, c) pesticides used are pesticides which has been officially registered, d) the harvest container to be used must be in good condition, clean and not contaminated, until e) the need for recording all activities of cultivation carried out. According to [31], efforts are made to carry out the knowledge process by using agricultural knowledge systems in the form of communication tool ownership, reasonably priced cell phone rates, the level of knowledge infrastructure development, broadcast time of radio and TV agricultural programs, membership in farmer groups, and the provision of agricultural extension services. Comparing clonal mango farmers to pineapple and star fruit farmers, it is known that their knowledge creation dimension, which has a value of 79 percent, is the highest.…”

“…Agriculture has started to use the idea of knowledge management, but it is still in its early stages. According to [31] findings, efficient agricultural knowledge management activities which are carried out through producing, acquiring, sharing, and utilising knowledge are critical to increasing the adoption of agricultural innovations among Tanzanian rice farmers. [32] highlighted that tacit knowledge was acquired repeatedly in cycles as a "outside" process from one person to the recipient and as a "outsider" process throughout the process of sharing knowledge of the pomelo citrus production system in eastern Thailand, getting knowledge "in-out" of someone, typically on the walk home, at a neighborhood temple, or in a farmer group meeting.…”

Information Communication Technology Devices for Agricultural Information Dissemination among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda (Rubanda, Mayuge Districts, and Mbarara City)

“…Within the context of India and Ethiopia, TV plays the most important role as a medium of diffusion of information related to agriculture. It had been shown that farmers would get simple information by looking at agriculturerelated programs on TV (Mtega, 2017). Television has produced awareness and information among farmers concerning the use of technologies in farming and it produces such reasonable programs that create interest among those who rely upon media for obtaining information concerning education, health, and agriculture (Wawire et al, 2017).…”