Browsing by Author "Edward, Alpha"

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Application of mobile phone-based system for improved crop production recommendation in arusha, Tanzania
(NM-AIST, 2022-01) Edward, Alpha
Agriculture is a dominant activity globally as without which, food would not be produced, consequently depriving human development. Despite the massive role of agriculture in food security, its growth in crop production in Tanzania is being threatened by various challenges including limited access to agricultural information. This study focused on developing a mobile phone-based application for improved crop production recommendations. The study survey involved a total of 156 simple randomly selected respondents in Arusha district to assess whether or not they know how or can use mobile phones to search for internet-based agricultural services as a base for developing a mobile phone-based agricultural information app, and the data collected were analyzed by tableau software. The results show that about three-quarters of respondents possess smartphones and nearly one-third (32.7%) of all respondents use internet-based platforms to search for agriculture information. In terms of the specific need for a well-structured system such as the use of agriculture apps that would quicken access to agriculture information, 75.6% of all respondents said that they would appreciate having it. Also, about 80% of all respondents indicate the readiness for such platforms if availed online for the facilitation of processes in accessing agricultural information. Following these results, a Rapid Application Development (RAD) model was used along with software specific for the development of a mobile app and environments such as Android Studio, PostgreSQL Database and PostGIS to develop an android application. The developed mobile application takes into consideration soil types of different locations found within the Arusha district. Moreover, the app provides the farmer with information concerning soil type found in a specific location. Finally, a testing survey from the farmer’s acceptance concluded that this mobile app was accepted to be used by the farmers. Thus, the developed app is recommended for further testing and where possible, improvement on wider coverage and more functions that farmers will need in the future.
Potential of Mobile-Based Apps Online Platforms in Fast-Tracking Access of Agriculture Information
(Indian Society for Education and Environment, 2021-11-18) Edward, Alpha; Mbega, Ernest; Kaijage, Shubi
Objectives: This paper report the potential of online mobile phone-based platforms in fast-tracking access of agricultural information to farmers, with a case study of Arusha, Tanzania. Method: We used the questionnaire-based and focus group discussion methods and a total of 156 respondents were randomly selected for data collection. Findings: The results showed that 77.6% of respondents possess smartphones and 32.7% of them use internet based platforms to search for agriculture information which usually is not applicable or specific in their local Arusha context. Such finding raised a need for developing internet-based platform for accessing agricultural information by farmers for use in their local context. Thus, the same respondents were assessed for their readiness to use a mobile-based agricultural app if developed. The results indicated that 80% of the respondents were willing and would use the app. Novelty: The paper demonstrated how mobile phone based apps can be used to quicken accessibility of agricultural information in a local-based, context-specific location.
Potential of Mobile-Based Apps Online Platforms in Fast-Tracking Access of Agriculture Information
(Indian Journal of Science and Technology, 2021-11-18) Edward, Alpha; Mbega, Ernest; Kaijage, Shubi
Objectives: This paper report the potential of online mobile phone-based platforms in fast-tracking access of agricultural information to farmers, with a case study of Arusha, Tanzania. Method: We used the questionnaire-based and focus group discussion methods and a total of 156 respondents were randomly selected for data collection. Findings: The results showed that 77.6% of respondents possess smartphones and 32.7% of them use internetbased platforms to search for agriculture information which usually is not applicable or specific in their local Arusha context. Such finding raised a need for developing internet-based platform for accessing agricultural information by farmers for use in their local context. Thus, the same respondents were assessed for their readiness to use a mobile-based agricultural app if developed. The results indicated that 80% of the respondents were willing and would use the app. Novelty: The paper demonstrated how mobile phonebased apps can be used to quicken accessibility of agricultural information in a local-based, context-specific location.