PurposeThis paper attempts to discuss some of the key challenges that Zambia faces in the application of information communication technologies (ICTs) for the small‐scale farmers.Design/methodology/approachA survey of information needs of small‐scale farmers in two selected provinces was carried out in order to establish and prioritize their information needs. Evaluation of the existing information infrastructure provided insights into the type of ICTs that can support the provision of information to small‐scale farmers in Zambia.FindingsThe paper highlights some of the salient findings of the research carried out under the African Technology Policy Studies (ATPS), Zambian Chapter and financed by the International Development Research Foundation (IDRC) from 2001 to 2003. These, among others, include: weak human capital and technical infrastructure, lack of clear national information policy and lack of a coordinated agricultural information support system for small‐scale farmers anchored on ICTs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study illustrates that it is becoming increasingly evident that the success of any agricultural development programme in Zambia requires a well‐organized and functionally integrated information delivery system propelled by the application of appropriate ICTs. The paper presents recommendations for this to be realized.Originality/valueThe changes in the socio‐economic and political arena in Zambia have had a drastic effect on the management of the agriculture sector. Further, even though it is widely acknowledged that information plays an important role in agricultural and rural development in Zambia, this conception has received less pragmatic attention and seems to have been less consolidated over time. The central role of information in this sector has thus been largely superficial. The need for a clear national policy framework on the use of ICTs for the small‐scale farmers to enhance national development is thus articulated in this paper.

This article examines e-record readiness in labour organizations in Botswana and proposes an e-record readiness framework to be used in context. E-records readiness was examined based on a mixture of components, which included information and communication technology uptake and use; best records management practices; selected tenets of existing e-records readiness assessment tools and the extent of integration of labour organizations into the national e-readiness framework. The study was largely guided by a quantitative paradigm and used a survey research strategy, which was complemented by methodological triangulation of data collection methods. All the 50 registered labour organizations in Botswana were surveyed, 45 of which responded, representing a response rate of 90 percent. Data were obtained through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document review and observations. The study established that e-records readiness in labour organizations in Botswana was evident, low and evolving. That was evidenced by the slow adoption of ICTs; inadequate records management standards and practices; and low integration in the national e-readiness framework. It was recommended that in order to foster successful e-records readiness in labour organisations, there is a need to underscore effective ICT adoption and use, implementation of best records management practices and rigorous integration of labour organizations into the information and knowledge society in Botswana.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of the baseline study on the state of digital heritage material preservation in Botswana. Design/methodology/approach -The study was part of a three-country United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Digital Heritage Preservation Project on the state of digital material preservation in Africa involving Botswana, Ethiopia and South Africa. The study uses the survey method consisting of various components data collection strategies including field work, document research, observations and the holding of a national consultative seminar an additional data input tool. The field study involved visiting 26 institutions that were identified as having the actual or potential of managing heritage materials in the country. Two other categories of institutions that were surveyed included the service providers of digitisation systems in the country. Findings -Findings revealed weak policy formulation on digitization both at the institutional and national levels; weak legislative framework for digital preservation; ill-defined national digitisation co-ordination for digitisation activities at institutional, national and regional levels; lack of awareness about the potential of digital preservation by national heritage institutions; a dearth of human resources for digitization; and lack of common standards on digital heritage materials preservation in Botswana.Research limitations/implications -Although the study was limited to institutions dealing with digital heritage materials preservation, the outcome of the study sheds more light on the challenges of preservation of digital materials in most of the institutions in Botswana. Practical implications -The results of this study presents useful strategic policy options for the management and preservation of digital materials in Botswana and other countries of Africa facing a similar environment. Originality/value -There is a dearth of literature on preservation of digital heritage materials in Africa, and this study provides useful insights that are unique and comparative experiences that exist on this subject.

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This study sought to assess electronic records (e-records) readiness at the Ministry of Labour and Home Affairs (MLHA), Gaborone, Botswana, within the purview of the implementation of an e-records management solution – the National Archives and Records Management System (NARMS). The assessment was done using tenets derived from the existing International Records Management Trust (IRMT) E-records Readiness Tool. The assessment examined the national legal and policy framework, compliance with policies, standards, tools, procedures and responsibilities for records management, e-records management products and technologies, resource capacity and training for records management staff, internal awareness of records management programme and the level of management ownership on e-records management. The study largely adopted a qualitative approach, but used methodological triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods, with a case study research design. Data was collected through semi-structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and observations. Respondents comprised of records management staff, action officers (records users) and Information Technology (IT) Manager. The study findings revealed that the level of e-records readiness at the MLHA included: inadequate legal and regulatory framework; average adherence to records management procedures, tools and standards; low awareness among staff of the records management programme and, the national regulatory framework and on the NARMS pilot project; limited space for records management; slow progress in the implementation of NARMS and low capacity building as records management staff is rarely taken for training. The study also revealed that opportunities for increasing the depth of e-records readiness exist, such as: availability of financial resources for the NARMS pilot project; adequate Information Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure and high management commitment on the E-Records Management (NARMS pilot project). The study recommends: improvement of the national legal and policy framework by development of an e-records policy; development of a records management policy to provide an internal records management framework; regular training for records management staff, especially on e-records; regular internal records management awareness; and assigning senior management high-level responsibility for organisation-wide records and information management.