Provision of information to small scale Vegetable farmers in Wareng District Of Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture remains the most important economic activity in Kenya. Efficient and effective provision of information is essential to the success of agriculture. It improves decision making, enhances and provides competitive edge to all sectors of economies. Provision of information to vegetable farmers in Wareng district is not up to the expected standards. The information materials generated are not in line with information needs of vegetable farmers. The aim of this study was to investigate the provision of information to small scale vegetable farmers of Wareng District, with a view of establishing challenges and proposing a model for effective and efficient improved information flow to the vegetable farmers in the district. The specific objectives of the study were to identify information needs of small scale vegetable farmers in Wareng District; assess the effectiveness of extension services in dissemination of information to vegetable farmers; determine communication channels through which agricultural information is disseminated to small-scale vegetable farmer ; accessibility and usefulness of the information channels, sources, services and systems that provide information to vegetable farmers; identify the factors that hinder agricultural information and suggest ways of improving communication of agricultural information to small scale vegetable farmers in Wareng District. This study was informed by the Wilson‟s theory of Information behaviuor (1996) and Niedzwiedzka‟s (2003) new model of Information Behaviour. Data was collected with the aid of semi-structured interview schedule.The study found out that vegetable farmers lack timely information specific to their needs of farmers. The existing information systems and services were inadequate in satisfying the information needs. Access to information is hampered by inadequate resources to facilitate access. Data presentation is mainly qualitative with some aspects of quantitative approach using tables, percentages and figures. The study recommends improvement of the existing information services, systems and channels in disseminating information to vegetable farmers. The proposed model if adopted will enhance efficiency in disseminating agricultural information to small scale vegetable farmers in Kenya.