POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN EASTERN ZONE TANZANIA

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POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN
EASTERN ZONE TANZANIA

• BY
• JUMA HAMSINI
• MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
• SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

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INTRODUCTION

• Science advances and technological changes are
  becoming increasingly important in developing a
  knowledge-based economy.
• Realizing this, the Tanzania government continues
  to support ST development that promotes
  productivity driven growth and provides for
  competitive advantage.
• It continues to invest heavily in RD activities
  as an effort to strengthen the technological
  capability of the nation.

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INTRODUCTION

• Knowledge has always played a role in the
  progress of any nation but knowledge today is
  about speed of communicating and the spread of
  information and data.
• Everything that anyone needs to know in order to
  make a decision must be available immediately.
• ST information such as emergence and
  applications of new technologies, technology
  trends, human resource capability, RD
  activities, research findings and scientific
  articles and journals must be made available
  quickly, cheap and efficiently to policy makers,
  researchers as well as the business communities
  and the public at large.
• ICT advancement and the Internet have helped
  tremendously in pushing these information and
  knowledge faster and more efficiently but their
  use in developing countries including Tanzania.

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INTRODUCTION CONT

• Today, effective application of ST is vital to
  various production sectors so as to ensure
  sustainable development as we witness the era of
  increasing competitiveness in the global market.
• The government through the Ministry of Higher
  Education, Science and Technology has established
  the mechanisms for popularisation of ST in
  1990s, with the view of promoting the
  application of ST products that have impact on
  social-economic development.
• In popularizing ST, the ministry has been using
  the radio programmes, ST forums, publication of
  Newsletters and stickers to the ST stakeholders
  as well as public in general.

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INTRODUCTION CONT

• Therefore, the primary aim of the study is to
  gather information that will facilitate the
  improvement of the modes for dissemination of the
  RD findings that have socio-economic impact to
  the society, thus enable easy access of
  scientific and technological information to the
  public.

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INTRODUCTION CONT

• This presentation contains a review of the useful
  scientific and technological research findings to
  the end-users in the Eastern Zone, analysis and
  conclusion of the study on the popularization of
  science and technology in Tanzania and key
  recommendations.
• The two staff carried out study over a period of
  six months between October 2005 and March 2006,
  as agreed with the funding agent, United Nations
  Educational Scientific Organization (UNESCO).

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Objective of the Study

• General Objective
• This study was expected to bring about a proper
  understanding of science and technology by
  popularizing ST research findings to end users
  and the general public at large.
• Also will create public awareness on the
  prevailing technical changes brought about by ST
  development.

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General Objective Cont

• Different factors affect the process of sharing
  of scientific and technological information.This
  include
• poor teaching methodology on science and
  technology education at all levels
• lack of awareness on the relevance of ST
  development to our daily lives to the general
  public
• Science and technology education is only for the
  selected few due to non- availability of proper
  facilities for teaching science and technology
  subjects i.e. ill-equipped laboratories at
  secondary and higher education levels.
• Poor infrastructure for collection and
  dissemination of ST information.

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General Objective Cont

• Lack of commitment among top decision makers in
  spear-heading science and technology development
  in the country.
• lack of exposure to science and technology in the
  formative years, which result into inadequate
  grasp of science and technology, later on in life
  (esp. politicians),
• poor government support on ST activities due to
  budgetary constraints
• Other factors might not be dealt by this project
  because they are beyond the scope of this study.

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Specific Objective

• Specifically, this study involved the
  strengthening of the current popularization
  programmes, which are carried out by our Ministry
  (MHEST).
• Hence, through this study, relevant research
  findings will be applied by end-users in order to
  bring about social and economic development of
  our country.

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The Study Team

• The study was carried out by a team of two
  staff coordinated by the Director of Science and
  Technology Department, Mr. Titus Mteleka. The
  Study team Staff comprised of-
• (i) Ms. Dhahia R. Mbaga - Member
• (ii) Eng. Juma Hamsini - Member

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Methodology of Study

• The Work team was guided by the Terms of
  Reference (TOR), which outlined broad aspects
  related to the subject of the study. Therefore,
  the team concentrated on the following
• a) Collection of the data regarding the useful
  scientific and technological research findings to
  the end-users in the Eastern zone
• b) Data analysis
• c) Establishing a database of scientific and
  technological research findings that has
  socio-economic impact in the country at large.

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Methodology of Study Cont.

• In order to collect the relevant information and
  data , the team used the following data
  collection methods
• Interviews, structured and unstructured
  questionnaires, and physical observation for
  collecting primary data.
• In addition, secondary data were retrieved from
  documents in the Research and Development
  institutions in the Eastern zone.

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Methodology of Study Cont

• Two groups of the respondents were involved in
  the survey conducted from September to December
  2005, these namely-
• Key Informants Interviews the first research
  instrument used was the guided questions. The
  interviews were conducted to 16 key informants
  that include the Chief Executives Officers,
  Project Coordinators, Researchers and Extension
  staffs in the selected RD institutions per
  region in the Zone as follows

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Methodology of Study Cont

• Kibaha Sugarcane research Institute Coast
  region
• Tanzania Industrial Research Development
  Organization Dar-Es-Salaam Region
• Mikocheni Agriculture Research Institute -
  Dar-es-Salaam Region
• Sokoine University of Agriculture Morogoro
  Region
• Ifakara Health Research Institute - Morogoro
  Region

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• Survey Questionnaires
• The second research instrument was a survey
  Questionnaire, which include structured and
  unstructured questions.
• The structured questions are qualitative
  covering issues such as personal profile,
  information on access to new technologies,
  preference of the media for accessing new
  technologies information, linkage with RD
  institutions, obstacles in accessing the new
  technologies, appropriate modes for dissemination
  of the research findings.

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• The villages, community members covered in three
  regions were
• (I) Mbasa village Morogoro Region
• (Ii) Kilombero Ruaha Village Morogoro Region
• (Iii) Kilombero Kidodi Village Morogoro Region
• (IV) Ifakara Village Morogoro Region
• (v) Msolwa A Morogoro Region
• (VI) Msolwa Ujamaa Morogoro Region
• (Vii) Chanika Vilage Coast Region
• (viii) Magindu Village Coast Region
• (ix) Dundani Mkuranga Coast Region
• (X) Kiparanganda Mkuranga Coast Region
• (xi) Mushroom growers Dar-Es-Salaam Region

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• In order to have equal representation on type of
  respondents for Research and Development
  Institutions end users, the selection of the
  sample based on the three variables gender,
  leadership role, working relationship with
  Research and Development Institution.

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• Illustration of Sample Selection
• Key informants (4 5)
• Survey questionnaires for Villagers and other End
  Users of Research and Development Institutions
  products(8 -10)
• Male (4 -5)
• Female (4-5)

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STUDY FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS

• The team collected reliable data, which assisted
  make an overall assessment of the useful
  scientific and technological Research Findings/
  products to the End users in the Eastern zone.
• For the ST Research Institutions, the questions
  were administered to the Chief Executives,
  Projects Coordinators and Extension Staff. These
  key informants provided data on
• level of the Research conducted, sources of funds
  and facilities, partnership and technical
  support, significance of the RD institutions
  products to socio-economic development.

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STUDY FINDINGS Cont.

• End users provided information on
• Educational level of the end-users, access to the
  new technologies information, mode preferred
  access information on new technologies.
• Application of the new technologies for income
  generation, significance of various institutions
  on technology transfer, collaboration with the
  RD institutions, Extension staffs visitation.
• Availability of the demonstration plots/ sites,
  obstacles that hinder adoption of the new
  technologies.

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• Level of the Research
• The Respondents from the RD institutions
  mentioned that the level of research conducted
  were both basic and applied research.

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• Sources of Funds and Facilities Available
• For the RD institutions covered in the study
  indicated that most of sources of funds for
  operational activities were mainly from
  government allocation, local and Institution own
  generated funds (see Figure I).
• The External development funds were used mainly
  for conducting various researches and improving
  infrastructure for conducting research within the
  RD institutions, depending on the agreement made
  with the particular development partner.

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Figure I

• SOURCE OF FUNDS

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Figure II

• FACILITIES DISTRIBUTION

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STUDY FINDINGS Cont.

• RD institutions facilities the status was good,
  as all institutions had good working environment
  with good networking to outside world due to
  access to internet and availability of a number
  of journals as indicated in Figure II.
• Study findings indicated that, there are a number
  of extension sites or demonstration sites per
  each R D institution that implies it is a
  popular mode of dissemination of the research
  findings/ products to the end-users.
• However, on the research and reports publications
  produced by institutions, the number was few,
  which indicate that this is a less popular mode
  of dissemination of the research findings /
  products.

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Partnership and Technical support

• There are various partners in the implementation
  of the RD projects, these are
• External development partners that provide
  financial support when project proposals are
  accepted and do midterm and terminal evaluation
  of the projects.
• Collaborative research with other institutions
  locally, a good example was the implementation of
  The TARP II project at SUA, which involved the
  researchers from Mikocheni Agricultural Research
  Institute in supervising the implementation of
  Mixed Cropping Project in Mkuranga district.
• Extension staff working in various villages where
  the project is implemented have been instrumental
  in transferring the technologies to the end Users
  and supervising its application.

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• Significance of the RD Institutions Products
• Figure III

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STUDY FINDINGS Cont.

• Majority of the respondents informed that the
  research conducted in their respective
  institutions were mainly basic research and some
  applied research as indicated in Figure III.
  Thats why New Scientific formulae were the
  leading ST products among the RD institutions
  and University surveyed.

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• Education Level of End Users
• The literacy level varies from primary education
  to university level in the three regions i.e.
  Dar-Es-Salaam, Morogoro and Pwani the majority
  did have primary school education as indicated in
  Figure IV.
• Compared by gender, the variation of education
  level in primary and secondary levels for the
  three regions among female and male is not
  significant.
• A small proportion of the people interviewed in
  the three regions Dar-Es-Salaam, Morogoro and
  Pwani had University education level but these
  were mainly retirees (men).

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Education Level of End Users

• Education level by Gender

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Access to the New Technologies Information

• The majority expressed that seminars and
  workshops, extension staff visits, and
  demonstration plots are authentic sources for new
  technologies information see Figure V.
• This tally well with the education level of the
  end users interviewed. The less educated
  individuals relied on audiovisuals in
  internalizing the new technologies.
• Better educated people reported to have greater
  reliance on print materials (newspapers,
  newsletters, posters, journals and scientific
  publications).
• TV are used mostly by end users living in urban
  areas and better educated rural areas end users.

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Figure V
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Application of the New Technologies Figure VI
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• A majority of the respondents were using food and
  agriculture technologies (gt80) and reported
  positive livelihood impacts in terms of income
  generation, food security, reduced work load for
  farming and improved shelters.
• Other technologies were energy source
  technologies that reduce workload for women.
• Industrial technologies that were used for
  processing food products and therefore increase
  the food security (see Figure VI).

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Technology Transfer Figure VII
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• A majority reported to access new technologies
  for health, efficient use of energy, increase in
  agriculture production, post harvesting storage,
  water management, environmental management from
  the RD institutions followed by the universities
  (see Figure VII).
• The collaboration of RD institutions with end
  users in transferring technologies, Pwani region
  is leading (see Figure VIII).
• University and RD institutions in three regions
  have played instrumental role in developing
  various technologies mentioned above and
  transferring them to end users, see the
  distribution of extension sites among the
  institutions in Figure IX below.

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Obstacles for Adoption of the New
Technologies Figure X
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Obstacles for Adoption of the New
Technologies cont

• Various reasons have constrained end users in
  using the introduced technologies, these include
  lack of information on technologies (60), lack
  of technical know-how (45), education status
  (36), poor linkages (30), cultural (22).
  Political (12) and others factors.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• We have to emphasize on the provision of ST
  education and awareness of its applications so as
  to improve economic productivity through the
  public campaigns and continuous education.
• Majority of respondents thought that the
  contribution of ST has had more positive impacts
  than negative. The only shortcoming observed is
  most of the new technologies disseminated depend
  on the external development partners financial
  support. We have to increase RD funding at least
  to 1 of GDP
• When the project ends, the local government has
  to take initiatives for extending the
  best-practiced technologies, therefore scaling up
  these good technologies to other areas has been
  difficult.

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• The negative perception towards modern technology
  arises from the perceived education of
  individuals through formal or informal education
  and all these impinge upon people's motivation to
  learn new things (Shukla 2005). However, the
  negative behavior towards the use of modern
  technology could be changed through continuous
  public awareness campaign using various mode of
  communication that is applicable in the
  particular setting.

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• People's perception towards Science and
  Technology (ST) is a relatively unexplored area
  of study and the existing survey carried out on
  the subject are only indicative but not
  representative in nature.
• The study has found that the ST stakeholders
  need to be strategic in selecting the modes of
  dissemination of the research findings
  products/process to their end users. Similarly,
  the Department of Science and Technology in
  strengthening its popularization programmes on
  ST to the public, various measures will be
  considered. These include

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Compliment the Radio Pragrammes with other modes
  of dissemination of ST information such as
  promoting the conducting of regular seminars and
  workshops by RD institutions to popularize their
  research findings products/process to the end
  users establishment of ST TV Programmes
  dissemination of Newsletters with information on
  the new technologies and promote establishment
  of the demonstration sites or extension sites for
  new technologies developed by universities and
  RD institutions in various parts of the country

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RECOMMENDATIONS

• Encourage the Universities and RD institutions
  to collaborate with the local government and the
  extension staff on moving from the demonstration
  sites to an up scaling mode without losing the
  value added (reaching a higher number of end
  users, having a higher impact to rural as well as
  urban areas and improve the National economies)
• Encourage the Local government, Universities and
  RD institutions on provision of incentives,
  improved working facilities to extension staff
  disseminating the new scientific technologies to
  end users, especially those living in remote area
  (UNCRD 2002, ST Sub-Master plan (2003-2018)
• Encourage the Universities and RD institutions
  to provide continuous technical support to
  extension staff as these have been found out in
  the study as important vehicle for introduction
  and dissemination of the new technologies to the
  end users (Kinabo, 2005) and
• Finally, the researchers whether from RD
  institutions, Universities should be encouraged
  to view the extension staff and end users as
  partners and collaborators such that the feedback
  obtained from them will be instrumental in the
  appropriate dissemination of the technologies.

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CONCLUSION

• This study seems to be the first of its kind in
  Tanzania, the findings and the National ST
  Policy for Tanzania (1996) guidance on
  popularization of ST permit the DST to offer
  some recommendations for Policy makers and ST
  Stakeholders on the best modes for dissemination
  of research findings/ products.
• The introduction of new technologies must as a
  condition necessitate the introduction of some
  form of feed back mechanism from end users so as
  to monitor the effectiveness of communication
  between researchers, extension staff and the end
  users (Rutatora ).
• It must be in a form that easily facilitates
  understanding for people and if any form of
  discrepancy exists this may lead to negative
  consequences.