Assessing usage of Web 2.0 Tools in disseminating climate information and services in National Agricultural Systems of Eastern Africa

Without deliberate attention, the vulnerability to climate change and variability in the sub-Saharan Africa and particularly Eastern Africa region will be severe in terms of food and income insecurity, worsened human and livestock health and environmental degradation. Web 2.0 Tools specifically wikis, blogs and RSS feeds are some of the dissemination channels increasingly being used with a wider reach to target users in National Agricultural Systems (NAS). The users include the extension officers, researchers, postgraduate students, and educators in universities. However, its use is still challenging in the Eastern Africa NAS as internet access and connectivity remains poor, Information Communication Technology (ICT) expertise is inadequate and ICT infrastructure is generally weak. Monitoring and evaluating the use of the NAS operated Web 2.0 Tools is presently a low priority and when done there is no feedback mechanism. The main objective of the study was to enhance the use of Web 2.0 Tools for accessing and disseminating climate information and services by the Eastern Africa NAS in order to improve adaptation to climate change impact. The specific objectives of the study were: to determine the extent of use of Web 2.0 Tools in dissemination of climate information and services by NAS in Eastern Africa; to establish the NAS preferred Web 2.0 Tools for accessing climate information and services in Eastern Africa; to identify userfriendly attributes of Web 2.0 Tools required by the Eastern Africa NAS for disseminating climate information and services; and to determine the feedback mechanisms that the NAS have adopted in their Web 2.0 Tools for disseminating climate information and services and their efficiency in responding to specific needs of the users in NAS.