Accessibility of Improved Chicken Farming Business Information to Women Improved Chicken Farmers through Mobile Phones in Misungwi District, Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the accessibility of improved chicken farming business information to women through mobile phones in Misungwi District, Tanzania. A cross-sectional research design was adopted. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were employed to obtain qualitative data. A total of 120 respondents were involved in the study. Quantitative data were mainly analyzed using a Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to yield descriptive statistics and cross tabulations while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study found that all 120 respondents owned a mobile phone and used it to access improved chicken business information, apart from other uses. The accessed improved chicken business information was mainly about: chicks, transportation, feeds, extension services, veterinary services, markets, and financial institutions. However, women improved chicken farmers encountered many challenges related to the mobile phone use including bandwidth costs and poor networks. Thus, the study recommends the Misungwi District authority to collaborate with mobile phone companies to increase the number of networks and advise them to have a stability of bundle prices which are affordable to the farmers.