Browsing by Author "Ngowi, Edwin E"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Information and Communication Technologies service providers and agro-pastoral system interface: Implications for sustainable agro-pastoral livelihoods in rural Tanzania
    (The University of Dodoma, 2015) Ngowi, Edwin E
    The purpose of this study was to assess Rural-ICT Service Providers (RISP) and agropastoralists interface. Specifically, the study aimed to get a better understanding of structures and processes at the interface and their implications for sustainable agropastoral livelihoods. The study was undertaken in Morogoro and Mwanza Regions where two districts with RISP were purposively chosen. The study adopted a combination of cross-sectional and case study designs. Purposive and random sampling techniques were employed to select the representative sample. Data collection methods comprised of household surveys, FGDs, key informants’ interviews, and participant’s observation. A total of 407 users of RISP among agro-pastoralists were directly administered with questionnaires. In addition, six FGDs and five key informants’ interviews were conducted. The data were analysed using SPSS 16 computer software. A Chi-squire was used to test for significance of data and One-Way ANOVA used to analyse 5-points Likert-scale information. A quantile regression analysis was employed to assess the determinants of sustainability of agro-pastoralists livelihoods. The study findings show that there are government failures at the interface due to structural weaknesses and conflicts in the implementation of policies and guidelines. The structural weaknesses are on the management and administration of universal access fund. The processes were relatively favourable for delivery of ICT services in Sengerema District (with donor funded-SMCT) as compared to Kilosa District (with private operator-KIRSEC). Agro-pastoralists in Sengerema District had relatively less restrictive conditions to access and use ICT services as opposed to Kilosa District. Social networks among agro-pastoralists facilitate the sharing of knowledge, skills, information and experience. Participation, relevance of ICT services, social networks, a public-private partnership and capacity building show positive contribution to sustainability of agro-pastoralists livelihoods. It is concluded that the findings underscored the importance of structures and processes for sustainable agro-pastoral livelihoods. The structures in form of organisation of activities, and the processes in the form of contractual arrangements play an important role for effective access, use and delivery of ICT services in rural areas. The study recommends that in order to ensure access, use and delivery of high quality and effective ICT services in rural areas, the government should make sure that there are clear mandates and responsibilities among actors to reduce structural weaknesses and conflicts. The government should also provide incentives that encourage the RISP operators to deliver ICT services in rural areas at affordable charges. Capacity building on the use of ICT services, formation, organisation and management of agropastoralists’ groups should be part and parcel of the development, design and implementation of ICT intervention packages. ICT policy interventions and programmes should be strengthened and take into account local community participation, strong public-private partnership, relevance of ICT services in the production activities and promote social networks among agro-pastoralist to enhance sharing of knowledge, information, skills and experiences. ICT content development should take into account the relevance, demands and needs of the communities so that these technologies are tailor made and are context specific.