An Investigation on Information Communication Technology Awareness and Use in Improving Livestock Farming in Southern District, Botswana

Abstract

This paper investigated the extent of Information Communication Technology (ICT) usage by livestock keepers and limitations encountered. The study was conducted with the objective of coming up with findings that will contribute towards strengthening ICT usage for the development of livestock keeping. In order to meet this objective the researcher used a mixed method approach where by qualitative and quantitative methods were both used. The results of this study, showed mobile phone technology as the most popular ICT used by 89% of the respondents. Also 73 % of the respondents indicated that they have access to the local radio channel, television accounted for 59%. Other types of ICTs that were pointed out by few respondents are Facebook, Email, the Internet and YouTube. Livestock keepers have identified a number of limitations in using ICTs that need to be addressed that include high cost of communication, poor mobile communication signal, unawareness of television and radio program schedule, and lack of electricity in rural areas. In conclusion, this study has identified ICTs such as radio, mobile phones, and television as types of ICT that are used most frequently by livestock keepers, though they are not used at satisfactory level for livestock production. Therefore, the researcher proposed that information systems aimed at delivering information to livestock keepers should be more mobile driven than being computer based. A major approach that could be adopted to address the challenges of radio and television usage is to come up with livestock programs that combine mobile technology with radio and television programs. Participants and listeners to radio or television programs could use mobile technologies to send in their questions either by calls or short messages.