Community radio -Based Extension Services on Adoption of Conservation Agriculture in Siaya County, Kenya.

Abstract

Communication and knowledge sharing are critical to the acceptance and sustainability of any agricultural innovation. In order to enable farmers and rural communities use climate smart technology solutions for increased agricultural output; community radio can be an essential information source. For example, low-cost conservation farming techniques like cover crops and minimum tillage can help communities keep an eye on and control their own output. Siaya County's adoption of conservation agriculture is still low despite community radio's many benefits for agricultural technology adoption. Thus, the study examined the impact of community radio based extension services on the uptake of conservation agriculture in Siaya County. The study was guided by Diffusion of innovations theory. Qualitative research approach was conducted to collect textual data from the respondents. A case study design was used to analysed the influence community radio -based extension services on adoption of conservation agriculture in Siaya County, Kenya. From the population, 12 farmers were sampled from the listening club for two focus group discussion. Two ward agricultural officers were sampled from the wards where the radio station was located. Two experts championing conservation agriculture in Siaya County were also sampled and 3 radio presenters airing and creating agricultural content in the community radio stations were also sampled for this study. Therefore, a total of 7 respondents were sampled as key informants while 12 respondents were sampled for two focused group discussions. The interview guide was used to collect data from agricultural programs presenter from each community radio station. While focus group discussion was conducted to collect data from farmers. Qualitative data from focus group discussion guides and in-depth interviews with key informants were analysed using thematic analysis. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding on the role of community radio on the adoption of conservation agriculture. The study findings highlight that Tembea Fm community radio has been successfully used to communicate conservation agriculture principles such as minimum tillage, crop rotation and cover cropping.