Knotting and networking agricultural information services through Web 2.0 to create an informed farming community: a case of Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Harare · 2012
Session: 205 — Social networking for agricultural research, education, and extension service: an international perspective — Agricultural Libraries Special Interest Group Abstract: Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) have revolutionalised every aspect of our life thus making it easier to overcome time and distance impediments in the dissemination of agricultural information, education and research. Zimbabwe has an agriculture based economy and as such the utilization of ICT's has the potential to enhance the sharing of agricultural information /knowledge among farmers. The growing demand for agricultural information and products provides opportunities for producers to sustain and improve their livelihoods through utilising technology. ICT's tools are now deep-seated in every aspect of the global community involved in agriculture. This paper seeks to find out the extent to which Web 2.0 applications are enabling farmers, students, buyers and consumers to communicate and share knowledge. It will also investigate how social media is enabling institutions and individuals involved in agriculture to share information. The paper will highlight practices in the utilization of Web.2.0 technologies in facilitating access to agricultural in formation. It will also seek to find out how mobile technology has helped to bridge the technological divide in facilitating access to agricultural information especially among the poor farmers in both urban and rural areas. It will also seek to find how social media is being utilised to strengthen connections that advance agriculture within