dc.contributor.author	Manda, Njovu
dc.date.accessioned	2012-01-19T08:34:58Z
dc.date.available	2012-01-19T08:34:58Z
dc.date.issued	2012-01-19
dc.description.abstract	Access to reliable and affordable energy is an essential input to sustainable development. Most of the rural communities in Zambia lack access to modern energy. Renewable energy technologies offer a solution to this. Through the help of various stakeholders, various renewable energy technologies are being promoted in rural Zambia. However, dissemination of information about renewable energy technologies may be hindered by several challenges many of which could be overcome through effective communication strategies. However, communication is usually marginalised and sometimes underutilized. Few studies have been conducted on communication strategies through which renewable energy technologies can be introduced to rural communities in Zambia. The study aimed at finding out effective communication strategies for dissemination and adoption of renewable energy technologies in rural communities in Zambia. To this end, the study examined communication activities in the Jatropha Biofuels Programme by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) in Kasama and Mungwi districts of Northern Province of Zambia. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered among jatropha growers and in-depth interviews conducted with SNV personnel, the local capacity builder and representatives of the district biofuel association. Besides, focus group discussions were held with two purposefully selected SMEs in Kasama and one in Mungwi. Quantitative data was analysed using the Special Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data was analysed manually and presented thematically according to the research questions and objectives. The study findings were that in general, the porgramme was a positive effort in uplifting the lives of rural people by engaging them in economic activities and at the same time creating a base for widening access to modern and clean energy. The study findings also show that generally communication was underutilised. Further, the results show that workshops and community gatherings were effective communication channels for knowledge transfer and awareness creation in the prgramme. Apart from that, the study revealed that of the mass media channels, radio was more popular as a source of knowledge than television and the print media.The study recommends that a communication strategy should be developed in order to ensure that effective channels and messages regarding renewable energy technologies are used to reach the rural communities. Further, the study recommends interfacing of mass communication channels and local small scale communication activities.	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/1012
dc.language.iso	en	en_US
dc.subject	Renewable Energy	en_US
dc.subject	Biofuel	en_US
dc.subject	Energy Awareness	en_US
dc.title	Communication of renewable energy technologies: A case study of the Jatropha biofuel programme in Mungwi and Kasama Districts of Northern Province of Zambia	en_US
dc.type	Thesis	en_US

Communication of renewable energy technologies: A case study of the Jatropha biofuel programme in Mungwi and Kasama Districts of Northern Province of Zambia

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