| dc.description.abstract | The rapid development of mobile technology, the large usage rates of mobile phones, increased penetration rates and the inherent characteristics of mobile phones are the reasons mobile phones are currently emerging as the first extensive form of electronic communication system in Kenya. Mobile phone can, therefore play a key role in disseminating relevant information to the rural people involved in agriculture and related sectors.
To investigate the potential of mobile phone usage in agricultural information dissemination was the purpose of this research. The focus was on small scale farmers in Kikuyu District, Kiambu County in Kenya, where according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Kikuyu District 2010 Annual Report, three in every five farmers own a mobile phone.
In this study, a sample of 96 farmers was selected using purposive sampling. The survey was done through the use of structured questionnaires where farmers were involved directly. This study made use of descriptive research to answer the following questions: Are mobile phones being used for agricultural purposes in practice? What kind of agricultural information do farmers value most? Have mobile phones created opportunities for farmers? The answers to these questions have important implications for information service providers and policy makers.
The study found evidence that mobile phones are being used for agricultural purposes and in ways that create opportunities for farmers. However, to leverage the full potential of information dissemination enabled by mobile phones will require capacity building amongst farmers to enable them use information they access effectively and awareness- creation by mobile phone- based agricultural information service providers. | en_US |
