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.
