The Use of Mobile and Web-based Innovations for Extension Service by Smallholder Farmers of Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society
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Date
2018Author
Mutsami, Gilbert M
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
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This study was guided by a conceptual framework that relied on the theory of diffusion of
innovations and the bass forecasting model to establish if mobile and web-based innovations
were in use by smallholder dairy farmers of Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society in
Kiambu County in Kenya. It considered that government agricultural extension and advisory
service that supported farmers with information, advice and skills collapsed more than three
decades ago and therefore new solutions were needed. The study used both quantitative and
qualitative approaches to collect data from a sample of 374. A cross-sectional research design
was employed using a structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews were also done using
an interview guide. The findings of the study revealed that majority of the dairy farmers own
mobile and web-based technological devices but very few were aware and made use of the
existing agricultural mobile and web-based innovations. The adoption level for the iCow
innovation which was introduced by the innovator was higher at the beginning with the early
adopters grasping the opportunity to understand, test and use the innovation. However, the
diffusion levels slowed down over time due to lack of enthusiastic ambassadors especially
opinion leaders to pass over the innovation. The study recommended that key players including
innovators, policy makers and other stakeholders need to develop a more keen interest in pushing
across the adoption of mobile and web-based innovations among smallholders. The study
concludes that further in-depth research on the use of the specific mobile and web-based
innovations, adoption levels and rates and impact might reveal newer insights.
Publisher
University of Nairobi
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United StatesUsage Rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/Collections
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