Implementing and Assessing Cell-Based Technical and Marketing Support Systems for Small and Medium-Scale Fish Farmers in Uganda
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
1National Fisheries Resource Research Institute (NaFIRRI)
Abstract
The rapid development of mobile technology, the increased penetration rates and the inherent
characteristics of mobile phones are the reasons mobile phones are currently emerging as the fast
widespread form of electronic communication system in African countries. Mobile phones can,
therefore play a key role in disseminating relevant information to fish farmers in Uganda. This report
summarizes critical aquaculture needs of the farmers, socio-demographic Characteristics of the
farmers, most important anticipated benefits of the app, reviews, comments and suggestions on the
design and structure of the aquaculture application. Majority of the participants appreciated the design
of the prototype as well as its applications while a few of the participants requested that the look
(design) of the app be improved. Information on mixing feeds and feeding, up-to-date fish market,
pond management (water exchange, site selection, pond construction, infrastructure development,
management, and stocking, input suppliers and buyers’ location, predator and health issue, success
stories of farmers, booking keeping and fish farming videos were mostly needed by farmers.
Respondents’ characteristics such as age, gender, and education level were found to be determinants
of mobile phone type ownership. Thus, the developed Aqua-application can be used to achieve
various activities involved in fish farming and be adopted by policy organizations and government
agencies in their proposals on the usage of technology as a key driver towards aquaculture economic
growth. However, to leverage the full potential of information dissemination enabled by the designed
mobile App will require capacity building amongst farmers on how to effectively use the app, use of
different local languages, scaling the app through fish farmers’ groups and awareness through
different social media. Further work is needed to evaluate the usage and impacts of the app on
aquaculture development and the livelihoods of farmers.
Description
Keywords
Cell-Based Technical and Marketing Support Systems, Small and Medium-Scale Fish Farmers
Citation
Matuha, M., Omiat, I., Molnar, J. J., Atukunda, G., Walakira, J., Nabafu, E., ... & Boyd, C. IMPLEMENTING AND ASSESSING CELL-BASED TECHNICAL AND MARKETING SUPPORT SYSTEMS FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SCALE FISH FARMERS IN UGANDA.