Abstract:
Research in Kiambu County reveals farmers‟ information needs on environmental information issues, information
accessibility and use on the same, which impact agricultural production. Farmers in this county produce dairy
products, cash crops like tea, coffee and pyrethrum and a mixture of food crops. The paper focuses on climate change,
global warming, weather and seasonal changes, their effects on land use and hence implications on agricultural
productivity, yields, cropping practices, crop diseases, etc. The study investigates specific environmental information
issues: specificity of needs; information sources; information usage; variety of channels of access; and challenges to
access. The study sampled 150 farmers, 18 to 55 years, selected randomly: population 897, in 28 cooperatives. A
descriptive research design was applied with Stratified Random Sampling technique. Face-to-face interviews and
semi-structured questionnaires were used. On specificity of needs, findings show information on seasonal variation
was by far the most sought after. On sources, Government was the principal source. Other key suppliers by rank were:
Cooperatives, Audio media, NGOs and Churches. On usage, important drivers were: when to plant, which crops, and
managing soil erosion, and proper food storage. Usage information access (as collateral effect) helps farmers in tree
planting. By channels of information delivery, Barazas are most important by far, followed by Audio/media (radio and
television). The study recommends increased information; that the government develops a national strategic
framework for information access to promote agricultural production, income generation, and for improved
livelihoods.