Development of Mobile Application for Enhancing Agro Vet Services Accessibility to Poultry Farmers, of Tanzania

Abstract

Agro-vet services such as animal feeds, vaccinations, drugs, feeders, drinkers, technical assistance and extension services play an essential role in poultry farming sector productivity. However, poultry farmers face a challenge in accessing these services, such as nearby agro-vet shops and extension services, since they rely on word of mouth and their own husbandry experience, which is inaccurate and unreliable. Developing a mobile application for enhancing agro-vet services accessibility to poultry farmers is very important for improving poultry production, and that is the focus of this paper. Data were collected from 115 poultry farmers in Arusha and Dar es Salaam regions; a simple random sampling method was used. 70% of the respondents declared to depend on word of mouth from family members, other farmers and neighbors, while 30% relied on their own experience in farming. The reason was that the agro-vet services (agro-vet shops and extension officers) are far from their localities, mainly found in towns and marketplaces. In this study, Poultry Service Tanzania, a mobile application, was developed to ensure the easy accessibility of these agro-vet services to poultry farmers. Therefore, the mobile application saves time and cost and provides farmers with easiness and accurate information for poultry improvement.