495
respondents aged below 35 years was low. The mean age of respondents between
36 and 60 was larger than other age categories because this is referred to as the
“working age” population, which provides more support to families. The results
are in line with a study by Okwu and Loorka (2011), who found that the age group
between 35 and 60 years was the most prevailing among farmers due to their
responsibility for feeding and taking care of their families. This suggests that the
active group was engaged in farming as their major economic activity. The mean
age of respondents who were 60 and above was 30%. This is because this age
group was targeted to obtain information on longer-term climate change and to
include indigenous or traditional knowledge used, such as traditional climatic
information.
Gender of Respondents
The results on the gender of respondents in the two study villages indicated that
54% were males and 46% were females in Sanje village, while in Msolwa Ujamaa,
males comprised 60% and females 40%. This shows that both genders were involved
in farming activities, as both depend on agriculture as the main provider for their
familial needs. According to (Scott et al. 2005), males and females participate
equally in agricultural production. These results reflect a degree of gender equality
in the area. According to the World Bank (2015), rural women provide 50% of the
agricultural labour force in Tanzania.
Respondents’ Education Level
The findings on the education level of respondents showed that 22% in Sanje
village had informal education compared to 28% in Msolwa Ujamaa. The biggest proportion of farmers, 50% in Sanje and 44% in Msolwa Ujamaa, had primary education, while those who had secondary and post-secondary education
accounted for 28% in both villages. Results conform to the findings of Churi
et al. (2012), who reported that the majority of farmers in rural areas have not
attained a higher education level. In a discussion with the District Extension
Officer, it was noted that low education among farming communities affects
their ability to understand and adopt knowledge, including technologies on climate variability and change. Most farmers are not confident to try new innovations in their farms. A study by Voh (2002) reports the presence of a significant
positive relationship between formal education and the adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study also noted that farmers with limited education
cannot easily use new technologies for accessing and employing agricultural
information, such as new improved seeds and cultivation systems. All such situations result in limited ability to access timely and relevant information for
farming activities.
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…
respondents aged below 35 years was low. The mean age of respondents between
36 and 60 was larger than other age categories because this is referred to as the
“working age” population, which provides more support to families. The results
are in line with a study by Okwu and Loorka (2011), who found that the age group
between 35 and 60 years was the most prevailing among farmers due to their
responsibility for feeding and taking care of their families. This suggests that the
active group was engaged in farming as their major economic activity. The mean
age of respondents who were 60 and above was 30%. This is because this age
group was targeted to obtain information on longer-term climate change and to
include indigenous or traditional knowledge used, such as traditional climatic
information.
Gender of Respondents
The results on the gender of respondents in the two study villages indicated that
54% were males and 46% were females in Sanje village, while in Msolwa Ujamaa,
males comprised 60% and females 40%. This shows that both genders were involved
in farming activities, as both depend on agriculture as the main provider for their
familial needs. According to (Scott et al. 2005), males and females participate
equally in agricultural production. These results reflect a degree of gender equality
in the area. According to the World Bank (2015), rural women provide 50% of the
agricultural labour force in Tanzania.
Respondents’ Education Level
The findings on the education level of respondents showed that 22% in Sanje
village had informal education compared to 28% in Msolwa Ujamaa. The biggest proportion of farmers, 50% in Sanje and 44% in Msolwa Ujamaa, had primary education, while those who had secondary and post-secondary education
accounted for 28% in both villages. Results conform to the findings of Churi
et al. (2012), who reported that the majority of farmers in rural areas have not
attained a higher education level. In a discussion with the District Extension
Officer, it was noted that low education among farming communities affects
their ability to understand and adopt knowledge, including technologies on climate variability and change. Most farmers are not confident to try new innovations in their farms. A study by Voh (2002) reports the presence of a significant
positive relationship between formal education and the adoption of new agricultural technologies. The study also noted that farmers with limited education
cannot easily use new technologies for accessing and employing agricultural
information, such as new improved seeds and cultivation systems. All such situations result in limited ability to access timely and relevant information for
farming activities.
Availability, Access and Use of Weather and Climate Information by Smallholder…