Utilization of Agricultural Information by Poultry Farmers in Enhancing Productivity: The Case of Menengai West, Nakuru County, Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture in Kenya has been one of the backbones of economic development in the country. Poultry farmers play a bigger role in contributing to this development. Poultry farmers utilize information for various reasons including; poultry disease management, protection, shelter, production, feeding and nutrition, hatching, marketing, breeds and breeding, and competition with crops. In Menengai West Location, Rongai Sub County, Nakuru, underutilization of agricultural information is seen as the possible cause of low productivity in poultry farming. The aim of this research was to evaluate the utilization of agricultural information by poultry farmers with a view of establishing challenges faced and proposing ways of improving production. The specific objectives of the study were; to find out the uses of agricultural information by poultry farmers; to identify factors influencing the use of certain agricultural information; to find out the awareness level of existing agricultural information by poultry farmers; to determine the effectiveness of agricultural information on poultry production and to establish the challenges faced by farmers in utilizing agricultural information. The study will benefit poultry farmers in Menengai West by enhancing utilization of agricultural information hence increasing productivity. The target population was 517 poultry farmers and the sample size for this research was 217 poultry farmers derived from the Saunder’s table of sampling. Two extension officers were also targeted. A pilot study was conducted in Njoro Sub County. The study was based on Eugene’s information society theory of 1979. Questionnaires and structured interviews were used for data collection. Television, radio and mobile phones were the commonly used sources of agricultural information in provision of poultry information. Inadequate agricultural extension officers and inadequate funds were major challenges faced by poultry farmers in utilization of agricultural information. The study concludes that there are gaps that exist in utilization of agricultural information. The researcher therefore recommended that the county government should employ more extension officers within Menengai West in order to reach out to poultry farmers, Agricultural resource centers should be set up by Nakuru County Government in rural areas to enable farmers in the location access agricultural information easily and within reach, establish partnership with agricultural institutions and county government to disseminate agricultural information and access veterinary services and the government need to improve mobile network connectivity in the area.