Technology for agriculture: Information channels for decision making in Chamwino, Tanzania

Abstract

Small scale farmers (SSFs) rely on information sources, which range from traditional means to modern information channels. This research explores the current decision making and information gaining mechanisms of small scale farmers in Chamwino District, Tanzania, where small scale farmers are experiencing low productivity, lack of infrastructures, and malnutrition. In-depth focus group discussions (FGD) were conducted with a total of 94 participants. The interviews were built around several themes (crop farming activities, types of information sources, decision making processes) divided between the farming seasons (pre-farming, tilling, weeding, post weeding, harvesting, post-harvesting). Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The results reveal a number of contextual challenges in small scale farming. The analysis suggests a number of engineering solutions to address the identified challenges.