Examining local communities’ sources of indigenous knowledge for management of agro-biodiversity in Masasi and Nachingwea districts, Tanzania

Research articleThe study was carried out in Masasi and Nachingwea districts to provide empirical evidence of how local communities access indigenous knowledge (IK) on management of agro-biodiversity surrounding them. The paper specifically sought to determine how local community’s access and share indigenous knowledge related to agro-biodiversity at local levels. The study employed a mixed method approach (case study and cross sectional survey). The research findings of the present study showed that farmers mainly relied on the local (internal) sources of knowledge to acquire IK, as compared to external and formal sources of knowledge. In terms of frequency of access, the responses showed again the predominance of the parents/guardian/family, neighbour/friends, social groups and village meetings as primary sources of IK they most frequently consulted. Finally the study suggests some recommendations as detailed in the paper.Costec

Examining local communities’ sources of indigenous knowledge for management of agro-biodiversity in Masasi and Nachingwea districts, Tanzania

Research articleThe study was carried out in Masasi and Nachingwea districts to provide empirical evidence of how local communities access indigenous knowledge (IK) on management of agro-biodiversity surrounding them. The paper specifically sought to determine how local community’s access and share indigenous knowledge related to agro-biodiversity at local levels. The study employed a mixed method approach (case study and cross sectional survey). The research findings of the present study showed that farmers mainly relied on the local (internal) sources of knowledge to acquire IK, as compared to external and formal sources of knowledge. In terms of frequency of access, the responses showed again the predominance of the parents/guardian/family, neighbour/friends, social groups and village meetings as primary sources of IK they most frequently consulted. Finally the study suggests some recommendations as detailed in the paper.Costec

Application of indigenous agro-biodiversity knowledge for climate change adaptation and its effects on food security and cash income among local communities in Masasi and Nachingwea districts, Tanzania

CCIAM Conference Proceeding paperThis study was carried out in Masasi and Nachingwea districts in Tanzania to provide empirical evidence of existing indigenous knowledge (IK) related to agro-biodiversity surrounding the local communities and how that knowledge contributes to adaptation to climate changes and their livelihoods. The study employed two research designs namely case study and cross sectional survey. Hence, a combination of tools including semi-structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews were used for data collection. The research findings showed that farmers possess a wide range of indigenous knowledge, which they use in the management of agro-biodiversity, adaptation to climatic changes and for improving their livelihoods. The indigenous knowledge identified include those on soil characteristics, soil fertility and infertility, cropping systems, seed storage and use of wild food products. It was recommended that such indigenous knowledge be harnessed and used in other similar localities to foster ability of farmers to adapt to climate changes and improve livelihoods of local communitiesCOSTECH and CODESRI

Awareness and use of Web 2.0 technologies in sharing of agricultural knowledge in Tanzania

It is based on a research and training on e-resource usage by agricultural professionals in TanzaniaThe current study investigated the extent to which agricultural researchers and extension workers were aware of Web 2.0 technologies and put them into practice in their daily work. The study involved 107 respondents in the first phase and 148 in the second phase. Respondents were from agricultural research and training institutions as well as agricultural extension departments from selected districts across the country. Structured questionnaires were administered to selected respondents. Findings show that 43.9% of the respondents were aware of Web 2.0 while 56.1% knew nothing about this concept. Facebook and Wikipedia were found to be the most used Web 2.0 tools by many respondents while Delicious, Pbworks, Picasa and Digg were identified as among the less commonly used tools by majority of the respondents. The study recommends the need for providing appropriate Web 2.0 training packages to agricultural extension workers, researchers, trainers and other stakeholders in order to enhance knowledge sharing among them for improved agricultural productivity in the countryElsevie

The usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in Tanzania

Library and Information Research, Volume 38 Number 119, 2014This article investigates the accessibility and usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in five out of seven agricultural zones in Tanzania. The study identifies sources of e-resources used by these researchers and staff, as well as assessing their information literacy levels and the factors influencing their usage of e-resources. The research used a survey approach based on convenient non-probability sampling. Findings show that usage of e-resources from popular agricultural databases remains low. Factors limiting access to e-resources include poor institutional ICT infrastructure, limited funds for e-resources and low information literacy levels. Recommendations include improvements to ICT infrastructure and budgets, as well as developing electronic institutional repositories to improve extension staff access to research outputs, creating a sustainable link between agricultural research and farming activities. Information literacy modules in agricultural training institutes could also support effective access to, and use of, e-resources.Elsevier Foundatio

The usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in Tanzania

Library and Information Research, Volume 38 Number 119, 2014This article investigates the accessibility and usage of e-resources among agricultural researchers and extension staff in five out of seven agricultural zones in Tanzania. The study identifies sources of e-resources used by these researchers and staff, as well as assessing their information literacy levels and the factors influencing their usage of e-resources. The research used a survey approach based on convenient non-probability sampling. Findings show that usage of e-resources from popular agricultural databases remains low. Factors limiting access to e-resources include poor institutional ICT infrastructure, limited funds for e-resources and low information literacy levels. Recommendations include improvements to ICT infrastructure and budgets, as well as developing electronic institutional repositories to improve extension staff access to research outputs, creating a sustainable link between agricultural research and farming activities. Information literacy modules in agricultural training institutes could also support effective access to, and use of, e-resources.Elsevier Foundatio