ACCESS AND USE OF AGRICULTURAL INFORMATION IN MULEBA AND MISENYI DISTRICTS, TANZANIA

Abstract

The type of information currently provided in Tanzania and the methods by which it is conveyed isolates rural areas, and makes its usage very problematic. This isolation is associated with the poor growth of peoples’ economy in the rural communities. This paper explores the usage of agricultural information as an indicator for rural agricultural development and a tool for combating environmental degradation. The broad goal of the paper was to assess the status of the usage of agricultural information in combating environmental degradation in Muleba and Misenyi Districts. The study employed a case study design and combined both qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected using interviews and observations as well as documentary sources. The findings reveal that the most used agricultural information is soil preservation, the life cycle of fish, market and weather conditions. Radio was the mostly applied source of information while Extension Officers used seminars, farm field schools (shamba darasa) and leaflets in disseminating information. The challenges identified revealed include lack of time to access information, inadequate information sources, lack of searching skills, cost of information, geographical isolation, difficult technical languages, technological limitations, poor internet connectivity and lack of Information and Communication Technology skills.