Agricultural Information Services

The agricultural sector in Tanzania employs more than 70% of the total population and accounts for 27 percent of Tanzania's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sustainable agriculture needs an effective flow of agricultural information services to farmers in a collective way and system. Agricultural information services in marginalized areas are challenged with inadequate extension services to farmers on their agricultural needs and expected information searching strategies. The questions to be addressed with this study are: what types of agricultural information do farmers need, how and where do farmers search for agricultural information, and what are the determinants of their searching behaviour? To conclude, to attain sustainable agriculture, farmers' access to information and use of current information is very important to facilitate farmers' needs in marginalized areas. It is uncommon for them to be contacted about their wants and preferences prior to the creation of extension programs, which may allow proper use and access of agricultural information to farmers¿ information-seeking behavior in marginalized villages.