An analysis of the effectiveness/impact of ICTs in dairy production: A case of Zimbabwe's Mashonaland East's Beatrice-Mariranwe dairy farmers

Abstract

This study analyses the effectiveness/Impact of ICTs in dairy production. This is a case study of Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East BEATRICE-MARIRANWE Dairy farmers. By nature, dairy production is a complex business that involves handling of massive data and information. This makes dairy production a good candidate for use of ICTs to improve sector competitiveness. It is against this background that the study sought to investigate the extent of use of ICTs in dairy production in Zimbabwe. Information from the farmers was gathered through questionnaires and personal inter-views. The analysis of the study was both qualitative and quantitative. The study found out that there is low uptake of ICTs in the dairy sector. The recommendation focused on improving uptake of ICTs, networking and thus improving competitiveness of the dairy sector. Paramount to the recommendations was the designing of the national dairy ICTs architecture. The architecture emphasises on maximising conditions for local innovation and creative public-private partnerships to expand ICT access and services.