Influence of socio-demographic factors on the use of mobile phones in accessing rice information on climate change adaptation in Tanzania

• Published in: Global knowledge, memory and communication memory and communication, 2018-11, Vol.67 (8/9), p.566-584
• Main Authors: Mwalukasa, Nicholaus, Mlozi, Malongo R.S., Sanga, Camilius A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Access to information; Agricultural production; Agriculture; Cellular telephones; Climate change; Farmers; Rain; Rice; Smartphones; Sociodemographics; Technology Acceptance Model
• ISSN: 0024-2535; 2514-9342; 1758-793X; 2514-9350
• DOI: 10.1108/GKMC-01-2018-0006

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine socio-demographic factors influencing the use of mobile phones in accessing rice information on climate change adaptation by rain-fed farmers in Tanzania with reference to Morogoro region. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional research design was used to collect data from 400 randomly selected rain-fed rice farmers owning mobile phones. Semi-structured questionnaires were used for data collection in eight selected wards in two districts of Kilombero and Kilosa districts in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Findings The findings of the study showed that the use of mobile phones to access rice information on climate change adaptation was statistically significantly influenced by respondents’ sex, age, education level, marital status, farm size, farming experience, radio ownership and off-farm incomes. Furthermore, the use of mobile phones in accessing rice information on climate change adaptation among the study districts was not statistically significant. Practical implications This paper provides practical recommendations on how to improve accessibility of rice information through mobile phones on climate change adaptation. Implementation of information delivery system to farmers using mobile phones without ascertaining farmers’ socio-demographic characteristics leads to resource underutilization. Originality/value The paper provides appropriate knowledge that is needed in improving access to information through mobile phones by Tanzanian farmers and in other communities in developing countries with the aid of the additional theoretical moderators of unified theory of acceptance and use of technology as the research findings suggest. Moderators’ variables have high influence on farmers’ use of mobile phones on accessing rice information on climate change adaptation.