Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania

This study designed and evaluated the usefulness and usability of a web-based system for disseminating maize production knowledge to farmers in Tanzania’s Manyara region. The system covered all stages of maize production, from farm preparation to harvesting and storage, and provided knowledge in mu...

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Main Authors: Victor Ngessa, Kisangiri Michael, Kelvin Mtei, Mawazo Magesa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Agricultural Extension
Subjects:
Online Access:https://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/5123
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author Victor Ngessa
Kisangiri Michael
Kelvin Mtei
Mawazo Magesa
author_facet Victor Ngessa
Kisangiri Michael
Kelvin Mtei
Mawazo Magesa
author_sort Victor Ngessa
collection DOAJ
description This study designed and evaluated the usefulness and usability of a web-based system for disseminating maize production knowledge to farmers in Tanzania’s Manyara region. The system covered all stages of maize production, from farm preparation to harvesting and storage, and provided knowledge in multimedia formats with interactive features. Eighty-one smallholder maize farmers from Hanang, Mbulu, and Babati districts evaluated the system's usefulness and usability (satisfaction) via questionnaires, while an additional 10 respondents assessed its usability in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Researchers observed respondents using the system to assess its effectiveness and efficiency. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results showed that most smallholders found the system’s content and features useful ( =4.5). With an average System Usability Scale score of 87.5 and all users successfully completing tasks, the system proved easy to use. The study highlights the need for designing useful and user-friendly web-based systems, like the one under study, to help smallholders in developing countries access crop production knowledge, enhancing their productivity and decision-making capabilities.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1119-944X
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language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Agricultural Extension Society of Nigeria
record_format Article
series Journal of Agricultural Extension
spelling doaj-art-0bf87fe2988f4f5f8b4f2b83107abc302025-08-20T03:52:08ZengAgricultural Extension Society of NigeriaJournal of Agricultural Extension1119-944X2408-68512025-04-01292Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, TanzaniaVictor Ngessa0Kisangiri Michael1Kelvin Mtei2Mawazo Magesa3The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and TechnologyThe Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and TechnologyThe Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and TechnologySokoine University of Agriculture This study designed and evaluated the usefulness and usability of a web-based system for disseminating maize production knowledge to farmers in Tanzania’s Manyara region. The system covered all stages of maize production, from farm preparation to harvesting and storage, and provided knowledge in multimedia formats with interactive features. Eighty-one smallholder maize farmers from Hanang, Mbulu, and Babati districts evaluated the system's usefulness and usability (satisfaction) via questionnaires, while an additional 10 respondents assessed its usability in terms of effectiveness and efficiency. Researchers observed respondents using the system to assess its effectiveness and efficiency. Data were analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Results showed that most smallholders found the system’s content and features useful ( =4.5). With an average System Usability Scale score of 87.5 and all users successfully completing tasks, the system proved easy to use. The study highlights the need for designing useful and user-friendly web-based systems, like the one under study, to help smallholders in developing countries access crop production knowledge, enhancing their productivity and decision-making capabilities. https://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/5123Websites for crop productionWeb-based information systemsCrop production knowledge dissemination
spellingShingle Victor Ngessa
Kisangiri Michael
Kelvin Mtei
Mawazo Magesa
Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
Journal of Agricultural Extension
Websites for crop production
Web-based information systems
Crop production knowledge dissemination
title Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
title_full Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
title_fullStr Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
title_full_unstemmed Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
title_short Usefulness and Usability of a Web-Based System for Disseminating Maize Production Knowledge in the Manyara Region, Tanzania
title_sort usefulness and usability of a web based system for disseminating maize production knowledge in the manyara region tanzania
topic Websites for crop production
Web-based information systems
Crop production knowledge dissemination
url https://aesonnigeria.org/ajm/index.php/jae/article/view/5123
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AT kelvinmtei usefulnessandusabilityofawebbasedsystemfordisseminatingmaizeproductionknowledgeinthemanyararegiontanzania
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