Information Communication Technologies Application For Documenting Indigenous Farming Knowledge for Improved Preservation and Utilization in Public Libraries, Kilifi County, Kenya
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Date
2024-05
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
The study's objective was to evaluate how librarians in Kilifi County, Kenya, used information
and communication technologies to document traditional farming knowledge in order to better
its application and preservation. Indigenous knowledge (IK) is defined variously. For the
purpose of this research will be viewed as locally owned, modified knowledge and wisdom that
have been developed and used over times to aid a community maintain or enhance their way of
life in a localized rural context. Due to break down of oral transmission routes of knowledge,
non-recording forms of capture and transmission of IK basically oral with increased
westernization as well as oral transmission of knowledge has been replaced and IK if not
carefully planned for is susceptible to extinct yet was and still remains a rich source of
knowledge if well integrated with modern knowledge sources. Libraries could be reservoirs of
IK if efforts are made to capture IK for preservation and application. Libraries hold a central
role and their mandate is to build and maintain reservoirs of needed information for community.
The study's purpose was to employ ICT tools to record essential indigenous farming knowledge
in Kilifi County, Kenya, for future generations to use and preserve. The study examined the
significant role that a library could play in preserving, managing, storing, and disseminating
indigenous farming knowledge as well as identifying issues and concerns related to
documentation and preservation of indigenous farming knowledge. It also evaluated the
awareness and perception of the study community regarding use of ICT tools in preservation
and application of indigenous farming knowledge. The study was undertaken across the seven
Sub Counties within Kilifi County, namely Malindi, Magarini, Kilifi North, Kilifi South, Ganze,
Kaloleni and Rabai. Total population of the study was 162 respondents comprizing 140 Kaya
Elders (Farmers), 7 Sub County Agricultural Officers and 15 Library Staff. Utilizing the Krejcie
and Morgan formula n=X2NP (1-P)/e2
(N-1) +X2P (1-P), a sample of ninety-eight respondents
was determined. For data collection, interviews and questionnaires for Kaya Elders (Farmers),
Sub County Agricultural Officers and Library Staff were used. Video recording was used to
capture respondents during interview and document reviews including dependable databases,
such as the Kilifi County Development Plan, the Kilifi County Agricultural Sector Development
Programme, and the Kilifi County Government Demographic Reports were made. Cronbach's
alpha was used to assess the instruments' validity. Data analysis techniques included theme
content analysis, tables of averages and inferential statistics using the Statistical Package for
Social Science (SSPS). Findings revealed indigenous knowledge is extremely valuable, helps
the community to ensure food security, which needs to be transmitted to the following
generation. Farmers acknowledge the value of information and communication technologies
(ICTs) in maintaining indigenous farming knowledge (IFK), and they concur that if it is not
recorded, it might vanish with the farmers. Among the ICT instruments in use were radios, TVs,
laptops, memory cards, social media, flash drives, memory cards, and iPads. To record and
conserve IFK for upcoming generations, the Sub County Librarians and Agricultural Officers
can work with the Kaya Elders (Farmers) who own the IFK. The Public Library repository can
serve as a valuable resource for managing and preserving documented indigenous farming
practices through the inclusion of uploaded video recordings thereby creating a repository of
indigenous farming knowledge experiences. Recommendations of the study are incorporation
of indigenous farming knowledge to scientific farming knowledge, educating people on value
of indigenous farming knowledge, revampment of public libraries to become viable knowledge
assets of IFK and the Kenya National Library Services to take responsibility in the capture,
preservation and management of indigenous farming knowledge.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Library and Information Science in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University. May 2024
Supervisor
Dr. Zipporah Gichuhi
Computing and Information Science
Kenyatta University