This article was designed to present the assessment of the effectiveness of radio - based, impact driven smallholder farmer extension service system provided by FVR to enhance accessibility of... Show More

This article was designed to present the assessment of the effectiveness of radio - based, impact driven smallholder farmer extension service system provided by FVR to enhance accessibility of extension services to women and men in the project areas of Tanzania. Specifically, this paper assessed women and men farmers' access to ICT and factors influencing the utilization of ICT to deliver agricultural information and knowledge. The paper used data from impact assessment survey of the project conducted between April 2012 and June 2012. These data were complemented by focus group discussion involving members of gender advisory panel that had been established in the selected project sites. Quantitative data were analyzed to yield frequencies and percentages. Qualitative data were analyzed by content analysis. Even though ownership of mobile phones and radio was higher among women in all study areas both men and women farmers' had almost the same percentage in accessibility to agricultural extension information. The factors that affected women and men farmers to get quality agricultural information via these ICT tools were namely: poor radio signal reception, power outrage and poor timing of radio programs among others. This is important evidence that careful use of ICT can reduce gender imbalance in agricultural extension services and information delivery.

This paper reports on the nature of interaction patterns and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to support the livelihood of microenterprises. The study focused on the case of... Show More

This paper reports on the nature of interaction patterns and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to support the livelihood of microenterprises. The study focused on the case of South Africa where Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) act as a means for addressing unemployment and poverty. The study used qualitative data to understand the interaction patterns and how ICT such as computers, mobile phones and internet are used to support the livelihoods of microenterprises. The findings showed that vertical and horizontal interactions supported the flow of information and sharing of knowledge used in decisions for reducing vulnerabilities in the livelihoods of microenterprises. ICT were improving the interactions that supported the livelihoods of microenterprises. The study recommends use of existing social networks for microenterprises when designing interventions for supporting microenterprises.

Up-to-date market information on prices for commodities, inputs and consumer trends can improve farmers' livelihoods substantially and have a dramatic impact on their negotiating positions.... Show More

Up-to-date market information on prices for commodities, inputs and consumer trends can improve farmers' livelihoods substantially and have a dramatic impact on their negotiating positions. Information on new marketing opportunities and the market prices of farm inputs and outputs is fundamental to an efficient and productive agricultural economy. The main focus of this study was on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) use on agricultural marketing. Use of ICT (mobile phone, radio and television) and factors affecting ICT use in agricultural marketing in Eastern Hararghe were the objectives of this study. Random sample of 210 producers were selected from six purposively selected kebeles from Haramaya, Kersa and Metta woredas based on their production potential. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used for analyzing the data and 63.8% were ICT users while 36.2% were not. The model result indicated that age, year of education, information seeking behavior and participation in trainings were significant determinants of ICT use. Network availability in the area, construction of electric line and infrastructures, network coverage throughout the country, affordable cost of simcard with free air time were opportunities for mobile phone use. Construction of electric line and infrastructures, wide area coverage of the frequency were opportunities for radio and television use. Alternative power source (battery) and expansion of Frequency Modulation (FM) stations were other opportunities for radio use. Interruption of network and electricity, language problem, absence of organized source of information are some challenges to use ICT. Adult education and trainings are useful to promote the awareness of producers; establishing basic infrastructures and services including electricity is basic requirement for ICT utilization. For the effective use of ICT, local languages needs to be used and trainings about how to use ICT also need to be provided.

The success of any educational program depends on its evaluation system. Examinations are a part of learning process which acts as an element in evaluation. For the smooth conduct of examinations of... Show More

The success of any educational program depends on its evaluation system. Examinations are a part of learning process which acts as an element in evaluation. For the smooth conduct of examinations of various universities and academic institutions, the question paper generation process would be helpful. However, examination question paper composition is a multi-constraint concurrent optimization problem. Question selection plays a key role in question paper generation systems. Also it is the most significant and time consuming activity. The question selection is handled in traditional question paper generation systems by using a specified question paper format containing a listing of weightages to be allotted to each unit/module of the syllabus. They do not consider other constraints such as total time duration for completion of the paper, total number of questions and the difficulty level of the questions in the question paper etc. In this paper, the authors have modeled the Question Selection Problem as a multi-constraint optimization problem and proposed an Evolutionary Approach for the implementation same. The authors have experimented with this approach on a case study. The results obtained in this case study are interesting and promising to continue its implementation work and further research.