Effectiveness of Extension Communication Channel in the Adoption Process of Hermetic Bag Storage Technology in Nakuru, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine effectiveness of extension communication channel on adoption process of hermetic bag storage technology. This was prompted by the various maize post-harvest losses experienced by farmers despite maize being staple food in Kenya. Correlational study design was employed while proportional simple random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 120 farmers in the Njoro, Molo and Rongai sub-counties of Nakuru County. Content and face validity was assessed by subjecting the instrument to critique by experts in Egerton University. Cronbach alpha was used to estimate the reliability of the research instruments and was found to be 0.848. Descriptive statistics (means, percentages and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation) were employed for data analysis. Pearson correlation coefficient analysis was used to test the hypotheses at significant level of α = 0.05. The results indicated that Pearson Correlation was highest at the decision-making stage 0.853 followed by the persuasion stage at 0.651, adoption stage at 0.624 then implementation stage came fourth at 0.466 and finally awareness stage at 0. 363. Therefore the study established that extension communication channel is effective in adoption process of hermetic bag storage technology. This is with strong positive influence at decision stage and weak positive influence at awareness stage of the adoption process. The study hence that Government should come up with policies to support extension service to facilitate the adoption of hermetic bag storage technology and hence attain food security.