Access to and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in selected agricultural research institutes: case study of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania
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Date
2002
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Publisher
University of Dar es Salaam
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate access to and use of information and communication technology (ICT) in selected agricultural research institutes of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania. The survey method was used as a technique for data collection, using both the questionnaire and interview schedules as data gathering instruments. A total of five research institutes and the Information Documentation Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security headquarters were surveyed and a total of 61 respondents were interviewed.
The major findings of this study revealed that there was generally poor access to and use of ICT for managing agricultural research information in the surveyed institutes. The findings also revealed that the causes for this poor access to and use of ICT were poor ICT infrastructure, lack of ICT policy, poor ICT skills of the potential users and generally poor management in some of the institutes. The root cause of these problems emanated from the poor economy which results in little funds being allocated for research information activities and the acquisition of ICTs. In addition, poor access to and use were also associated with unfavourable management conditions especially in those institutes with the required ICT. These include: bad physical settings/location of the gadgets, poor time allocation for use of ICT facilities and bureaucratic procedures in using those facilities.
The study recommends an appropriate ICT policy formulation at both national and institutional level, training of the researchers and improved ICT infrastructure for effective and efficient ICT use for managing agricultural research information.
Description
Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS DILS HC79.I55E54)
Keywords
Agricultural Research Institute, Information technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Tanzania
Citation
Tumsifu, E (2002) Access to and use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in selected agricultural research institutes: case study of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam. Dar es Salaam