Abstract:
Purpose:
The purpose of study
was
to establish
f
actors
influencing
effective communication of
agricultura
l information among farmers in South West Kisumu Ward, Kisumu C
ounty
.
Methodology:
The study utilize
d
a descriptive survey research design.
The target population
comprise
d
of
3054 households that practice agriculture in South West Kisumu Ward (KNBS,
2013). The study used Fostgate (2012
)
formula to calculate the sample size. The sample size was
72 responde
nts.
This study use
d
stratified random sampling.
The sample
was
distributed equally
among
the three (3)
strata of
sub
-
locations (namely Ojolla, Osiri and Kanyawegi). Further, the
study adopted purposive sampling with the help of the sub
-
chiefs to identify
the farmers who
could be having relevant information.
The study used a
questionnaire
and a key informant
interview guide
to obtain primary data.
The questionnaires
were
self administered.
The
researcher also booked appointment with four (4) key informants
(one from each village and an
agricultural extension officer).
To check the validity and reliability of the questionnaires in
gathering the data required for purposes of the study, a pilot study
was
carried out.
Data analysis
included descriptive and infer
ential statistics.
Results:
Result findings showed
that there is a positive and significant relationship between
choice of media
,
socio demographic characteristics
and effective communication of agricultural
information as supported by beta coefficients of
0.286 and
0.750
respectively. Further,
results
also showed that there is a negative and significant relationship between language barrier
,
farmers’ attitude
and effective communication of agricultural information as supported by beta
coefficients of
-
0.03
6 and
-
0.069
respectively
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy:
The study recommended that t
he Ministry
of Agriculture, through the relevant contact persons at the community level, should build the
capacity of village leaders. This is to ena
ble them effectively disseminate agricultural
information without bias. Agricultural agencies working in the study area should empower the
women groups with agricultural information, given that there are more female farmers than male.
