scholarly journals Rural Smallholder Farmers' Awareness and Use of ICT-Based Market Information Sources in South Africa

Author(s):  
Christopher Nwafor ◽  
Carlu van der Westhuizen ◽  
Abiodun Ogundeji

The utility of ICTs for providing market information to rural smallholder farmers is growing rapidly, and access to reliable information and sources is considered crucial for beneficial market interaction. This study explored critical factors contributing to usage of electronic sources for market information search among rural smallholder livestock farmers. Using data collected from 129 respondents through a non-random sampling technique; descriptive and regression analysis was applied to identify key factors responsible for their awareness and use of ICT-based market information sources. Level of education was found to be a driver of awareness of ICT-based sources, and use of these sources was influenced by farmer-specific characteristics such as household size, education, income, membership of cooperatives and herd-size. The key ICT tools used was radio and mobile phones, widely available in the study area. Identified constraints to use of these ICTs include cost and patchy network signals in some areas. Policy interventions to reduce cost of mobile phone services and expansion of base stations; including practical recommendations for improved programming in radio and television offerings, are considered indispensable for greater uptake of e-information sources among smallholder livestock farmers.

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor ◽  
Abiodun A. Ogundeji ◽  
Carlu van der Westhuizen

The study explored the contribution of information and communication technology (ICT)-based information sources to market participation among smallholder livestock farmers. Use of ICTs is considered paramount for providing smallholder farmers with required market information, and also to reduce market asymmetries. A double hurdle regression was utilized to analyze data collected from 150 smallholder livestock farmers in the study area. The results show that while use of ICT-based market information sources significantly influenced market participation, the effect of using ICT-based information sources on the intensity of market participation was not significant. Other variables shown to influence both market participation and the intensity of market participation were age, additional income and membership of farmer cooperatives. This suggests the need to consider other associated factors in the application and design of interventions that utilize ICT-based information sources to achieve market engagement among smallholders.


Author(s):  
Christopher Ugochukwu Nwafor ◽  
Abiodun, A. Ogundeji ◽  
Carlu van der Westhuizen

The study explored the contribution of ICT-based information sources to market participation among smallholder livestock farmers. Use of ICTs is considered paramount for providing smallholder farmers with required market information, in order to reduce market asymmetries. A Double Hurdle regression was utilized to analyze data collected from 150 smallholder livestock farmers in the study area. The results show that while use of ICT-based market information sources significantly influenced market participation, the effect of using ICT-based information sources on intensity of market participation was not significant. Other variables shown to influence both market participation and the intensity of market participation were age, additional income and membership of farmer cooperatives. This suggests the need to also consider other associated factors in the application of interventions which utilize ICT-based information sources in achieving planned market interventions.


Author(s):  
Christopher Nwafor ◽  
Ifeoma Nwafor

Smallholder livestock farmers utilize their existing communication networks as information sources. This study explored these information sources, frequency of contacts and perceived usefulness of information from these sources. Using descriptive and correlation analysis, it categorized respondents according to total information score and explored the relationship between their scores and socio-economic characteristics. Findings show that 65% of farmers in the area scored a high reliance on fellow farmers and extension officials. Mass media sources such as radio and television scored low on perceived usefulness. The correlation coefficients for age (-0.228), farming experience (0.183), extension visits (0.002) and information contacts (0.214) were significant (p<0.05). Level of education (0.256), herd size (0.067) and perceived usefulness of information contacts (0.252) were also significant (p<0.01). Gender, household size, income, cooperative participation and access to financial services were not correlated to the total information scores of respondents. It was recommended that mass media sources in the area be supported by extension communication specialists to disseminate livestock-health related information.


Author(s):  
Christopher Nwafor

The importance of ICTs for dissemination of information to farmers has been verified by extension practitioners, information and communication scholars, policy makers and development agencies. Information related to new seed varieties, production technologies, livestock breeds, vaccines, including weed and pest control, as well as relevant market information is constantly required by smallholder farmers. The identification of specific attributes among smallholder farmers which contributes to their adoption of a proposed ICT-based information source provides an important tool for developing interventions which address the information needs of farmers. Using a literature survey methodology, pertinent studies related to adoption of ICTs, farmers’ information source usage and relevant frameworks were identified, including applicable theories and models in technology adoption and information behaviour. In the proposed framework, the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder farmers were posited as key variables influencing smallholder farmers, within a farming system, to adopt ICT-based information sources. The framework contributes to discern the prospects of adopting ICT-based information sources by individual farmers within a farming system, and may also envisage other related welfare outcomes and market participation pathways among smallholder farmers. The review also addresses the paucity of conceptual discourse, while contributing to a growing pool of research on ICT in African agriculture.


2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 753-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Sa Vinhas ◽  
Douglas Bowman

Purpose This study aims to determine the antecedents and consequences of information source choice to support a purchase decision for services high in experience attributes. Design/methodology/approach The authors conduct two studies to test their propositions. Study 1 is a single-category application using data from a national survey of 974 consumers who recently made a hotel-stay purchase/reservation. Correspondence analysis was used to identify search patterns, and regression analysis was used to identify their antecedents and influence on search outcomes. Study 2 is a cross-category study using data from a survey of 422 MTurk respondents reporting on search processes across six different services contexts, including hotel reservations. In this study, the authors seek generalization of their results to other services categories. Findings The authors identify four dimensions that characterize what information sources consumers, on average, use together when purchasing services. It is found that loyalty program membership and consistency in service delivery across a brand’s outlets for the brands in a consumer’s evoked set are important determinants of search patterns. Search patterns partially mediate the impact of consumer characteristics, choice context and choice set characteristics on search effort and, ultimately, on price paid. Practical implications An understanding of the factors that are associated with consumers’ choices of information sources and whether these choices are systematically related to search outcomes has implications for market segmentation and for marketers’ initiatives with respect to what information content to emphasize across sources. Originality/value The contribution is an understanding of the antecedents and consequences of consumer search patterns – and what information sources consumers tend to use together, considering the diversity of both internet and non-internet sources. There are limited insights in the services literature regarding how the internet impacts information search processes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
Riza Syahputera ◽  
Martha Rianty

AbstractThis study aims to determine the effect of the role of the Chairperson and Cooperative Manager in the preparation and application of Financial Statements based on SAK ETAP in cooperatives in the city of Palembang. This research is a quantitative study using data obtained from questionnaires and measured using a Likert scale. The sampling technique used is purposive sampling. The sample used in this study was the Chairperson of the cooperative and the manager of the cooperative in the city of Palembang. The cooperatives studied were 203 cooperatives. The data analysis technique used is multiple linear regression test. The results showed that the role of cooperative leaders and managers had a significant positive effect on the preparation and application of SAK ETAP-based financial statements.Keywords : chairman, manager, SAK ETAP, cooperative


2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 992-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina A Clarke ◽  
Joi L Moore ◽  
Linsey M Steege ◽  
Richelle J Koopman ◽  
Jeffery L Belden ◽  
...  

To synthesize findings from previous studies assessing information needs of primary care patients on the Internet and other information sources in a primary care setting. A systematic review of studies was conducted with a comprehensive search in multiple databases including OVID MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Scopus. The most common information needs among patients were information about an illness or medical condition and treatment methods, while the most common information sources were the Internet and patients’ physicians. Overall, patients tend to prefer the Internet for the ease of access to information, while they trust their physicians more for their clinical expertise and experience. Barriers to information access via the Internet include the following: socio-demographic variables such as age, ethnicity, income, education, and occupation; information search skills; and reliability of health information. Conclusion: Further research is warranted to assess how to create accurate and reliable health information sources for both Internet and non-Internet users.


Author(s):  
Sri Ekowati ◽  
Selamat Riyadi

ABSTRACTThis study aims to determine the effect of service quality, product quality and  trust on customer loyalty aromania parfumery Bengkulu. This type of research is a survey research with a quantitative approach, the object of this research is the consumers in Aromania parfumery, which is precisely located on Jl. Kapuas Raya, Lingkar Barat, Kec. Gading Cempaka, Bengkulu City. with the sampling method, namely non-propability technique, namely insidential sampling technique. The number of respondents in this study were 105 people. The data collection method used a questionnaire. By using data analysis techniques using Multiple Linear Regression Analysis Test, and Hypothesis Test, namely test t and test f. The results of this study can be concluded that the variable service quality Aromania parfumery has a positive effect on customer loyalty, product quality has a positive effect on customer loyalty, and trust has a positive effect on customer loyalty.Keywords: Service Quality, Product Quality, Customer Trust and Loyalty.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Anik Anik ◽  
Suhesti Ningsih

The purpose of this research is to see the soundness level of Bank Syariah Mandiri with the method of Risk Profile, Good Corporate Governance, Earnings and Capital. The research method uses quantitative methods. Production factors in the RGEC method are the risk profile using credit risk (NPF), liquidity risk (FDR), income (ROA, ROE and BOPO) and capital (CAR). On the results of Good Corporate Governance using data processed and obtained from PT. Bank Syariah Mandiri. The object of this research is PT. Bank Syariah Mandiri. The sampling technique in this study using purposive sampling. This research period is 2013-2017. The data analysis technique used in this research is quantitative descriptive and using the RGEC method (Risk Profile, Good Corporate Governance, Earnings and Car), as for the benchmarks to determine the soundness level of a bank after each examination, namely by determining the results of the study classified into the bank's health rating. The results showed that the health of PT. Bank Syariah Mandiri which uses the Risk Profile approach, Good Corporate Governance, Earnings, and Capital as a whole can be said that Bank Syariah Mandiri is a fairly healthy bank.


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Delima Canda Mustika ◽  
Eny Lestari ◽  
Sugihardjo Sugihardjo

<p>The Tegalsari village is the large village with the second largest population in Bruno District, Purworejo Regency. It makes Tegalsari village have several potentiality to become ecotourism place. The government wants to develop ecotourism in Tegalsari Village to boost the economy and the welfare condition that categorized as poor village. The first stage of ecotourism development is planning stage to know the public perception of the development of ecotourism in Tegalsari Village.This research aims to examine public perceptions of the development plan of Tegalsari Village ecotourism, Bruno District, Purworejo Regency. This research uses qualitative basic methods with interactive inductive data analysis methods. The research location was chosen intentionally or purposively. Determination of informants in this study using the snowball sampling technique. The number of informants is 14 informants. The validity of the data is obtained using data triangulation. The results of this study indicate that the community provides a positive perception of ecotourism development. Ecotourism development was initiated and welcomed by the local community. The community hopes that Bukit Sitetepan ecotourism development can improve people’s welfare. There are several supporting factors and obstacles to the process of developing ecotourism and ecotourism development also bring positive and negative impacts. According to the community, the positive impact caused is greater than the negative impact.</p>


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