Transforming Agriculture through Radio in Selected Value Chains in Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to identify performance requirements and the knowledge, skills, and abilities gaps that the agricultural programme at Egerton Radio (101.7 FM) can address for farmers to improve adoption of technologies. The study used a participatory action research design that allowed the researcher and the study participants to collaborate in collecting and, analysing data, and re-defining the research question and the research method in a cyclical process. A baseline survey was conducted to establish the current situation in participatory monitoring and evaluation within the agricultural programme at Egerton Radio (101.7 FM). The study found out that most of the participants are male (53.5%) who are middle-aged (46years) with enough experience (10years) and attained formal education to only primary level (45.8%). The population falls within the lower range of the scale being measured in terms of land size ownership of up to 2 acres. Most of the individuals had enough experience in different farming activities. The most common source of information is local chicken farming which also the leading source of training needs for the radio programme. Further, regarding Training and Knowledge areas, dairy cow stands out to be most common training need for the radio programme. In this regard, the study recommends that, the government and non-governmental organizations should empower farmers practicing various farming activities through offering of radio programmes, trade fairs, and capacity building to impart more knowledge and skills to the farmers to transform agriculture.