- 學位論文
塞內加爾應用資訊傳播科技於蔬菜市場資訊系統發展之研究
Study on Utilization of ICT in the Development of Vegetable Market Information Systems in Senegal
摘要
資訊是協助農場管理及行銷的基本要素，近來資訊傳播科技的快速成長大幅改善了資訊流通，並為農業及鄉村發展創造了新契機。塞內加爾為增進農民的競爭力，已為蔬菜生產者設置了多個市場資訊系統，但採用率仍低。為改善市場資訊系統的發展，本研究於2006年實行問卷調查以了解塞內加爾蔬菜生產者的行銷風險、資訊傳播科技之使用、資訊需求，以及鄉村地區的資訊傳播科技可及性與市場資訊系統的效率。本研究選取了當地兩項主要蔬菜作物—番茄和四季豆，分別於其主要產區之聖路易區及達卡區進行深入探討，每一區均發放150份問卷給蔬菜生產者。2009年更透過深度訪談蔬菜生產者及其他農業知識系統中的重要成員來蒐集相關資料。本研究的結果指出，塞內加爾蔬菜生產者通常耕種多元作物，並仰賴中間商做行銷。農產品易腐敗及市場競爭為其主要行銷風險，他們普遍需要提升行銷效率、競爭力及採收後處理技巧。行動電話及電話舖為其最普遍使用的資訊傳播科技，可作為園藝市場資訊系統的基層技術。目前，塞內加爾蔬菜生產者的市場資訊網絡主要是透過非正式的社交聯繫；正式的市場資訊系統則需要加強資訊的內涵、可及性、格式與及時性。蔬菜生產者普遍的低識字率與多元語言性，以及鄉村聚落不穩定的電力供應，都可能限制資訊傳播科技的採用。市場資訊系統必須藉助視覺圖像、含當地方言的語音服務、以及穩定且具成本效益的電力來源。而產品批發價格是其關鍵性但非唯一的資訊需求，市場資訊系統應根據目標族群的需求提供適切的資訊。進一步的研究分析也指出，資訊傳播科技的採用有助於明顯降低塞內加爾蔬菜生產者的行銷風險並滿足其資訊需求，但資訊傳播科技目前尚未被徹底運用於傳播市場資訊。此外，較高的行銷風險亦反映出較高的資訊需求，有鑑於非產銷組織成員較易蒙受行銷風險，應倡導個別生產者的組織化，以降低行銷風險並利於取得所需資源與資訊。依據上述研究發現，本研究並提出園藝市場資訊系統的研究模型以及資訊網絡方案，以改善市場資訊系統的效率、滿足使用者需求，且增進塞內加爾園藝產業的發展機會。
並列摘要
Information is essential to assist the efficiency of farm management and marketing. Recently, the rapid growth of information and communication technology (ICT) has largely improved information flows and creates new opportunities for agriculture and rural development. Several market information systems (MIS) have been set up in Senegal to provide market price information for horticultural producers to enhance their competitiveness. However, the usage of MIS among producers remains low. To improve MIS development, a survey through questionnaires was conducted in 2006 to investigate the marketing risks, ICT usage, information needs of the Senegalese vegetable producers as well as the ICT availability and MIS efficiency in rural areas. Two major crops, tomato and green bean were targeted in their main production areas, Saint-Louis and Dakar regions, respectively. A total of 150 questionnaires in each region were distributed to vegetable producers. Additional information were also collected in 2009 through in-depth interview from local producers and other important actors in agricultural knowledge systems. The results of this study indicated vegetable producers in Senegal usually cultivated diverse crops, and relied on intermediaries for marketing. Perishability and competition were their main marketing risks, and they generally need to advance the efficiency and competitiveness of marketing and post-harvest skills. Meanwhile, mobile phone and telecentre were the most prevalent ICTs among vegetable producers, and may serve as the underlying technology of the horticultural market information systems. Currently, the market information network of Senegalese vegetable producers mostly relied on informal social contact. The formal market information systems need to improve the contents, accessibility, format, and timeliness of information. Furthermore, universal illiteracy and multiplicity of Senegalese vegetable producers and the poor power reliability in rural communities may constraints the ICT adoption. Market information systems need to be supported by visual images and voice service in local dialect as well as reliable and cost effective power sources. Also, wholesale price was the key but not only information Senegalese vegetable producers needed; market information systems should provide tailor information according to the needs of the target groups. In addition, the adoption of ICT was significantly helpful to reduce marketing risks and meet information needs of Senegalese vegetable producers. But by far, available ICTs have not been fully utilized for market information dissemination. On the other hand, higher marketing risks reflected higher information needs. Since non-members of the producers’ association were more vulnerable in marketing risks, the organization of individual producers is advocated to reduce marketing risks and facilitate access to the needed resources and information. Finally, based on the finding of this study, a research model for horticultural market information systems and an information network scheme are proposed to improve MIS efficiency, meet users’ needs, and enhance growth opportunities for horticulture industry in Senegal.