Browsing by Author "Ko, Jesuk"

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Access and use of agricultural market information by smallholder farmers: Measuring informational capabilities
(WILEY, 2020-04-03) Magesa, Mawazo; Michael, Kisangiri; Ko, Jesuk
While farmers sell their crops, middlemen provide a linkage between them, markets and buyers. Middlemen have good knowledge of working conditions of markets and have access to agricultural market information. Due to poor access to markets and agricultural market information by smallholders, there is a feeling that middlemen benefit more while farmers sell their crops. Good access to markets and market information may help farmers bypass middlemen while selling crops and thus benefit more. Thus, it is best to improve the informational capabilities (ICs) of farmers in agricultural marketing. Thus, this research measured ICs of farmers accessing market information, through a program NINAYO, while selling their crops. The research utilized the informational, psychological, social, and economic dimensions of the empowerment framework in identifying capability indicators to formulate survey questions. Data were collected from smallholders in six regions in Tanzania. The analysis utilized measures of life satisfaction and results showed that about half of the variation in the dependent variable, satisfaction with capabilities, was explained by the model. Backward elimination analysis confirmed that life satisfaction is multidimensional. Robustness test confirmed a positive relationship between satisfaction and capabilities. Overall, results confirmed ICs are multidimensions, their improvement empowers farmers in agricultural marketing.
Access to Agricultural Market Information by Rural Farmers in Tanzania
(International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Research, 2014-07) Magesa, Mawazo M.; Michael, Kisangiri; Ko, Jesuk
Access to agricultural markets and agricultural market information is essential for participating in agricultural markets. A skilled and well-equipped participant benefits more in the agricultural marketing chain. Due to poor access to agricultural markets, rural farmers have for so long depended on subsistence farming living other participants (traders, consumers, intermediaries) benefiting more. Poor access to markets by these rural farmers is attributed by poor road infrastructure, lack of transporting means, and broadly by lack of agricultural market information. Due to lack of market information such as price of produce at the markets, quality and quantity of produces required at the markets, rural farmers negotiate on prices of their produce based on the information provided by traders. These factors significantly reduce the bargaining power of rural farmers and thus promote development of uncompetitive markets. It is envisaged that if rural farmers get a fair share of their produce, they can shift from subsistence farming and consider agriculture as their main economic activity. Dependence on radio programs and mobile phone calls to get agricultural market information has not well benefited remote rural farmers. This study proposes to establish a platform of framework where agricultural market participants can share market information. With this platform, real-time market information can be made available to market participants. The overall goal is to ensure farmers are assisted to get a fair share of their produce.
Agricultural Market Information Services in Developing Countries: A Review
(Advances in Computer Science: an International Journal, 2014-05) Magesa, Mawazo M.; Michael, Kisangiri; Ko, Jesuk
Access to agricultural markets and marketing information are essential factors in promoting competitive markets and improving agricultural sector development. The agricultural sector employs majorities in developing countries and it contributes greatly to the development of these countries. Unluckily, majorities of the farmers are smallholders living in isolated rural areas and thus lack appropriate access to markets for their products and also they are deprived of agricultural market information. As a lack of these, smallholder farmers are exploited by greedy traders and receive low prices for their agricultural produce. This study has explored the use of agricultural market information services in linking smallholder farmers to markets, especially in sub-Sahara developing countries. Origin of, the needs for, and the current status of agricultural market information services in developing countries are clearly presented. Lastly, the study explored the limitation of the success of most agricultural market information services in sub-Sahara developing countries.
Maternal knowledge-seeking behavior among pregnant women in Tanzania
(SAGE Publications Ltd, 2021-08-13) Kaaya, Elsie; Ko, Jesuk; Luhanga, Edith
Background: Maternal mortality continues to be a global challenge with about 830 women dying of childbirth and pregnancy complications every day. Tanzania has a maternal mortality rate of 524 deaths per 100,000 live births. Objective: Knowing symptoms associated with antenatal risks among pregnant women may result in seeking care earlier or self-advocating for more immediate treatment in health facilities. This article sought to identify knowledge-seeking behaviors of pregnant women in Northern Tanzania, to determine the challenges met and how these should be addressed to enhance knowledge on pregnancy risks and when to seek care. Methods: Interview questions and questionnaires were the main data collection tools. Six gynecologists and four midwives were interviewed, while 168 pregnant women and 14 recent mothers participated in the questionnaires. Results: With the rise in mobile technology and Internet penetration in Tanzania, more women are seeking information through online sources. However, for women to trust these sources, medical experts have to be involved in developing the systems. Conclusion: Through expert systems diagnosis of pregnancy complications and recommendations from experts can be made available to pregnant women in Tanzania. In addition, self-care education during pregnancy will save women money and reduce hospital loads in Tanzania.
Towards a framework for accessing agricultural market information
(The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 2015) Magesa, Mawazo M.; Michael, Kisangiri; Ko, Jesuk
Management, development partners, private sector and NGOs are accustomed to ensure enabling infrastructure is provided. Access to markets requires good transport and low transaction cost accompanied with recent market information. To provide market information to rural community, stakeholders may initiate the program by providing funds and finding the means of ensuring the sustainability of the program. Delivering market information requires established ICT infrastructure and capable staffing. Thus, a framework to access agricultural market information requires management to provide infrastructure and funding, and also to ensure rural areas are equipped with the technology.