INFORMATION NEEDS AND UTILISATION AMONG FISH FARMERS IN NAMIBIA

Description

This study investigates the information needs and utilisation of information and knowledge by aquaculture famers in Namibia. It investigated the knowledge gap that exists between information and aquaculture production by providing research-based evidence on the nature and extent of information utilised by aquaculture farmers in Namibia. The study was guided by two theories: Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory that explained how an innovation is adopted in society and Kuhlthau’s Six Stage model of the Information Search. The study used a mixed methods research design and employed a concurrent triangulation approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Data collection methods used for the quantitative research were surveys, and semi-structured interviews, observation, and document analysis for the qualitative research. The population comprised of all fish farmers and their managers in Namibia. The key findings of the study revealed that fish farmers lacked the required information to fulfil their information needs.