Analysis of long’et ab kabatik programme on crop farming practices among households in Mosop Sub-County: Nandi County

Abstract

Today, farmers are faced with the challenge of having to cope with the ever changing climatic conditions which have rendered their farm production to decrease every year. It is therefore the challenge of having the knowledge about the right crop to invest in, alternative farming methods and also storage of the farm products that is crippling the agriculture sector. This study focused on the contribution of KassFM radio program long’et ab Kabatik to the improvement of crop farming practices by use of modern and technological methods by households in Mosop sub- county of Nandi County, Kenya. The study sought to investigate the effects that Long’et ab kabatik radio programme talk shows has on promoting productive and sustainable crop farming practices; find out the salient features that Long’et ab kabatik radio program panel discussions highlights for the crop farmers in promoting effective farming practices and finally recommend the extent and nature of strategies that Long’et ab kabatik radio programme anecdotes can inculcate so as to increase productive crop farming practices in Nandi County. This study employed the diffusion of innovation theory. In this study, data was sought on the use of radio as a form of broadcasting media as an educational tool in the promotion of new improved methods of farming, communication and information sharing, storage and marketing of farm produce. This study was conducted using Causal research design. The data collection instrument used was questionnaires. This study targeted farmers in households in Mosop Sub-County considering a sample population of 753 households’ sampled using systematic sampling method. Since this research was cause and effect, data was analyzed by use of inferential statistics and specifically regression analysis. Results indicated that radio talk shows, panel discussions and anecdotes were significant determinants of farming practices in Mosop Sub-County. Further the moderating regression was significant. There is need to increase the frequency of long’etab Kabatik radio programme in a week and Farmer education and extension programmes should be supported by the government and other stakeholders including policy makers.