O'Gorman, Melanie (author / University of Toronto) and Centre for the Study of African Economics, Oxford, UK
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
2006-07-20
Published:
United Kingdom
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C28215
Notes:
Posted online at http://www.csae.ox.ac.uk/conferences/2007-EDiA-LaWBiDC/papers/295-OGorman.pdf, Presented at the "Economic development in Africa" conference from March 18-20, 2007 at Oxford University.
Wirastuti, Dewi (author), Luckin, Rose (author), Sheriff, Ray E. (author), Walker, Kevin (author), Underwood, Josh (author), and Dunckley, Lynne (author)
Format:
Conference paper
Publication Date:
2008-01-01
Published:
IEEE
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 101 Document Number: D10883
Notes:
8 pages., Fifth IEEE International Conference on Wireless, Mobile, and Ubiquitous Technology in Education., via online journal., This paper presents an innovative application of wireless, mobile and ubiquitous technologies to support informal and collaborative learning in Kenyan rural farming communities. Such an approach is achieved by the development of a knowledge management system (KMS) integrated with existing local community communication channels, together with experimental knowledge management (KM) initiatives employing the VeSeL (Village e-Science for Life) distributed resource kits (DRKs). The initiatives support illiterate and semi-literate farming community groups, in learning new agriculture practices, and also enable the use of advanced digital technology to improve their agricultural practices and literacy levels. Results of a recent field trip to Kenya are presented and an application sketch is developed. The process of applying wireless and Internet technologies for the education of local farming communities, using irrigation and water management as the application, concludes the paper.
Tembo, Rachael (author) and Maumbe, Blessing M. (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
2010
Published:
South Africa
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D02157
Notes:
Pages 19-42 in Blessing M. Maumbe (ed.), E-agriculture and e-government for global policy development: implications and future directions. Information Science Reference, Hershey, Pennsylvania. 321 pages.
10 pages, The main objectives of this research are to assess the educational and training requirements of farmers in Al-Ta’mim governorate in the field of using and maintaining the center pivot sprinkler irrigation systems and identifying the differences between these requirements according to some independent factors. The research sample consisted of 142 farmers representing 60% of the total number of farmers who were using these systems. The data was collected through a questionnaire form and utilizing the Borich equation. After testing the validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the data acquisition commenced through personal interview, the data then were analyzed by using analysis of variance and step-wise regression analysis. The results showed that 94% of farmers require medium to high levels of education and training and that there are significant differences in these requirements according to: educational level, number of months of utilizing the system, annual income, size of holding, and communication level with information sources. Yet, there are no significant differences according to readiness to change and social norms. It is also found that the (number of months of utilizing the system) is the most contributing factor in the interpretation of the variance of the educational and training requirements.
16 pages, The study examined the factors that drive decisions to adopt and use irrigation technologies among smallholder farmers in Machakos County, Kenya. Data were collected from a sample of 300 smallholder farmers. Cross-sectional survey design, a multistage sampling procedure and random sampling method were employed. Percentages, means and econometric analysis were used in data analysis. Results showed that, 31.7% of the respondents practiced irrigation. Sex of household head, education, farm size, off-farm income, credit accessed and access to extension services positively influenced adoption of irrigation technologies. Adoption intensity was positively influenced by gender, off-farm income, farming experience, primary occupation and extension services. As a result, it is suggested that while formulating development strategies and programs for smallholder farmers, agricultural extension organizations should give priority to these factors.
