Effectiveness of information flows in livestock technologies among small-scale farmers in Kilifi district

Abstract

The agricultural sector in Kilifi district has been faced by poor performance due to insufficient rainfall, poor prices, and poor rural access roads. The poor performance is also reflected in the inability of the district to satisfy its food needs thus remaining a net food importer (KDDP2002-2008). Barriers to information have played a role in low uptake of dairy technologies and an understanding of the various factors will help in unraveling this circumstances surrounding the low levels of dairy technologies uptake. A study was carried out in Kilifi district with an objective to examine how effective the information flow of livestock technologies is among small-scale farmers in Kilifi district. The study will add value to increase the understanding of information flow in the district to improve on how can assist in better understanding of farmers conditions to acceptance of livestock technologies. Sampling method used was a combination of both probability and non probability sampling methods like purposive and cluster sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire and 108 small-scale dairy farmers were interviewed in Kilifi district and the factors that influenced the small-scale farmers to adoption dairy technologies analyzed. The small-scale farmers apart form having local animals most of them had grade animals. The group formed the basis for discussions in which information of livestock technologies was passed on to the small-scale farmers.