Developing a model to explore the information seeking behaviour of farmers

Abstract

Purpose Generating an in-depth understanding of information needs and seeking behaviour is important both for restructuring existing agricultural information systems (ISs) and for creating new ISs. Many information seeking models have been developed over the years, most are narrowly focused on a specific role or discipline. However, no such specific model has been developed in reference to agriculture or an allied discipline. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to develop a model to explore the information seeking behaviour (ISB) of farmers. Design/methodology/approach The model proposed in this paper is based on Wilson’s model. The theoretical insights and empirical evidences comprehended at the study were embedded into Wilson’s model to develop a model that explores the ISB of farmers. The proposed model was quantitatively evaluated using empirical data gathered through a survey of 289 farmers. Furthermore, the model was qualitatively evaluated by subject experts against criteria of simplicity, comprehensiveness, exactness, generality and clarity. Findings The key finding of this study is the model developed to explore the ISB of farmers. The adapted model provides theoretical and empirical bases for exploring farmers’ ISBs. Thus, the model will be useful in developing valuable design insights to apply to user-centred agricultural ISs. Originality/value The originality of this study relates to its demonstration of how existing models can be reconsidered and adapted based on related literature and then tested and presented as adapted models. The proposed model will be useful to promote informational studies in agriculture.

Sustaining agriculture with information: An assessment of rural citrus farmers’ information behaviour

“…The occasional information needs of citrus farmers were centered on labor availability, agrochemicals, how to stop fruit drop, weather, irrigation plans and management, pesticides application, health and safety information, buyers, collections and traders, and herbicides. These results were quite logical and consistent with the findings of previous researches such as Kabir, Roy, and Kuri (2014), Kumar (2014), Mahindarathne and Min (2018), Naveed andAnwar (2013, 2015), and Radad, Behzadi and Zadehrahim, (2017) who also reported that the rural farmers need this type of information from time to time. Furthermore, the citrus farmers needed information least frequently on transportations, climatic change adaption and mitigation, intercropping, eco-friendly farming practices, modern techniques, equipment and tools, water testing and management, and training, field trips, workshops, etc.…”

“…The agro-technological information needs of the Zambian small-scale farmers were centered on farmland maintenance, irrigation, feeds and feeding, feed additives, forestry machinery, farm building, and land drainage (Kalusopa, 2005). An investigation by Mahindarathne and Min (2018) developed a model to explore farmers' information seeking behaviour based on Wilson's model. The adapted model not only provides theoretical and empirical bases for investigating information seeking behaviour of farmers but can also be useful for promotion of information studies in agriculture.…”

“…Agriculture is facing challenges in the 21st century like never before (Gunawardana and Sharma, 2007). As a complex socio-economic activity, it entails complex decisionmaking requiring acquisition of timely and credible information from multiple sources and channels (Mahindarathne and Min, 2018). For consistent and sustainable agricultural development, it is essential to equip rural farmers with need-based, credible, and timely information regarding modern farming techniques, tools, and equipment (Naveed and Anwar, 2013;.…”

“…The lack of knowledge about information needs and seeking behaviour of a particular community is a primary obstacle in the delivery of need-based and timely information (Banmeke and Olowu, 2005a;Naveed andAnwar, 2013, 2015;Naveed and Suhaib, 2019). Identification of information needs and information seeking behaviour of intended users is an essential element both for restructuring existing information infrastructure and for designing a new information delivery system compatible with their information needs that will result in users' satisfaction (Banmeke and Olowu, 2005b;Mahindarathne and Min, 2018;Zaverdinos-Kockott, 2004).…”

An Integrated Conceptual Framework for ICT-based Market Information Source Adoption among Smallholder Farmers

“…This is as a result of rapid changes in how information is generated and used. Such frameworks help with, developing new systems for information dissemination, addressing the need for understanding the target community before propagation of information (Msoffe and Ngulube, 2016), predicting the information-seeking behaviour of farmers (Mahindarathne and Min, 2018), placing emphasis on socio-economic factors in the technology adoption decisions (Lubua and Kyobe, 2019), or establishing factors that influence increased adoption of farm input and their relationships (Kante et al, 2019).…”