Analysis of Communication and Dissemination Channels Influencing the Adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Western Kenya

Autor/inn/en	Adolwa, Ivan S.; Okoth, Peter F.; Mulwa, Richard M.; Esilaba, Anthony O.; Mairura, Franklin S.; Nambiro, Elizabeth
Titel	Analysis of Communication and Dissemination Channels Influencing the Adoption of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in Western Kenya
Quelle	In: Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 18 (2012) 1, S.71-86 (16 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1389-224X
DOI	10.1080/1389224X.2012.638782
Schlagwörter	Agricultural Occupations; Information Sources; Foreign Countries; Information Services; Farm Management; Agricultural Education; Agricultural Engineering; Soil Science; Communication Strategies; Information Dissemination; Adoption (Ideas); Technology Transfer; Performance Factors; Socioeconomic Influences; Access to Information; Knowledge Management; Questionnaires; Mass Media Use; Communication Research; Network Analysis; Africa; Kenya + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Agriculture; Occupation; Landwirtschaft; Beruf; Landwirtschaftlicher Beruf; Information source; Informationsquelle; Ausland; Informationstätigkeit; Education; Landwirtschaftliche Ausbildung; Ausbildung; Agrarindustrie; Agronomie; Agrarwissenschaft; Bodenkunde; Kommunikationsstrategie; Informationsverbreitung; Ideas; Ideenfindung; Technologietransfer; Leistungsindikator; Sozioökonomischer Faktor; Wissensmanagement; Fragebogen; Mediennutzung; Kommunikationsforschung; Netzplantechnik; Afrika; Kenia
Abstract	Purpose: The following study was carried out to evaluate the socio-economic factors influencing access to Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) information and knowledge among farmers in western Kenya, and subsequent ISFM uptake with a view to assessing communication gaps. Design/Methodology/Approach: Structured questionnaires were administered to 120 farmers from Vihiga and Siaya districts. In Vihiga, farmers were sampled in a systematic random manner from farmer groups lists, whereas in Siaya, farmers were selected based on randomly selected diagnostic trial sites of the Africa Soil Information Service (AfSIS) project. Findings: Community-based and mass media channels were found to be significantly advantageous to farmers. Farmers' preferred information sources and channels included own experiences, farmer field days and farmer groups, respectively. A probit regression model indicated that off-farm income, education level, distance from nearest information centre, livestock value, and district of residence were the socio-economic variables that significantly influenced farmer access to ISFM information and knowledge, and subsequent uptake. In conclusion, farmer field days and farmer groups should be promoted as vehicles for agricultural information communication and dissemination. Practical Implications: The study has practical implications for dissemination of agricultural technologies, especially in small-holder farming regions, characterized by high poverty and poor infrastructure. Originality/Value: The study is original because channels for communication and dissemination of ISFM technologies are poorly documented or non-existent in western Kenya, and in most small-holder farming systems in Africa. The adoption behaviour of ISFM technologies in relation to socio-economic factors by farmers is still poorly understood. (Contains 3 figures and 3 tables.) (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10