493
semi-arid climate and it is thus one of the most productive agricultural areas in
Tanzania, with high production of sugarcane, paddy maize and bananas (ERB 2006;
SAGCOT 2012). Second, KRC is now targeted for large-scale agricultural development initiatives under SAGCOT (Smalley et al. 2014). Third, the business model at
Kilombero Sugar Company Limited has been identified by the government as the
model for development of commercial agriculture elsewhere (ERB 2006; SAGCOT
2012). Furthermore, the two selected villages have a large number of out-growers of
sugarcane and paddy. Approximately 32,960 ha are irrigated.
2.2 Research Design
This study made use of the mixed methods research approach (both qualitative and
quantitative approaches) to ascertain how weather and climatic information are
being used in decision-making processes in the agricultural sector. It has been
argued that a mixed methods design answers research questions that could not be
answered in other ways (Tashakkori and Teddlie 2003). Bryman (2008) remarks
that, “mixed methods research may provide a better understanding of a phenomenon than if just one method was used”.
2.3 Sample and Sample Size
The sampling frame for this study was the population of farmers. The sample for the
study was selected randomly with a proportion of 5% whereby each person had an
equal chance of being included in the sample, after Boyd et al. (1981). Msolwa
Ujamaa village has a total of 1200 households, while Sanje has a total number of
1000 households, providing a sample size of 60 and 50 from the respective villages.
2.4 Data Collection
Both secondary and primary data were collected. The former were obtained from
various sources such as Internet, libraries, Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA),
published research papers, books, proceedings, workshop reports and various policies, strategies and acts, whereas the latter were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), household survey, key informant interviews and field observation.
The key informant interviews and FGDs were conducted to gather more information on how climate information was used in decision-making processes, the kind of
climatic information available and information on the effectiveness, barriers and
opportunities of climate information use. The FGD were conducted under the guidance of a moderator through a checklist of questions prepared according to research
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…
semi-arid climate and it is thus one of the most productive agricultural areas in
Tanzania, with high production of sugarcane, paddy maize and bananas (ERB 2006;
SAGCOT 2012). Second, KRC is now targeted for large-scale agricultural development initiatives under SAGCOT (Smalley et al. 2014). Third, the business model at
Kilombero Sugar Company Limited has been identified by the government as the
model for development of commercial agriculture elsewhere (ERB 2006; SAGCOT
2012). Furthermore, the two selected villages have a large number of out-growers of
sugarcane and paddy. Approximately 32,960 ha are irrigated.
2.2 Research Design
This study made use of the mixed methods research approach (both qualitative and
quantitative approaches) to ascertain how weather and climatic information are
being used in decision-making processes in the agricultural sector. It has been
argued that a mixed methods design answers research questions that could not be
answered in other ways (Tashakkori and Teddlie 2003). Bryman (2008) remarks
that, “mixed methods research may provide a better understanding of a phenomenon than if just one method was used”.
2.3 Sample and Sample Size
The sampling frame for this study was the population of farmers. The sample for the
study was selected randomly with a proportion of 5% whereby each person had an
equal chance of being included in the sample, after Boyd et al. (1981). Msolwa
Ujamaa village has a total of 1200 households, while Sanje has a total number of
1000 households, providing a sample size of 60 and 50 from the respective villages.
2.4 Data Collection
Both secondary and primary data were collected. The former were obtained from
various sources such as Internet, libraries, Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA),
published research papers, books, proceedings, workshop reports and various policies, strategies and acts, whereas the latter were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs), household survey, key informant interviews and field observation.
The key informant interviews and FGDs were conducted to gather more information on how climate information was used in decision-making processes, the kind of
climatic information available and information on the effectiveness, barriers and
opportunities of climate information use. The FGD were conducted under the guidance of a moderator through a checklist of questions prepared according to research
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…