The Role Of Local Radio Broadcasting Station Towards Improving Agricultural Production In Rural Farmers: A Case Of Radio Kass Fm In Chebarus Location, Nandi County, Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT Vernacular broadcasting radio stations have played a crucial role in providing farmers with important and crucial information on agricultural issues. It has also helped farmers to be informed about market prices thus linking them to consumers. Moreover, it has enabled them to get food, security and increased income leading them to have improved livelihood, and ultimately the eradication of poverty. The study attempts to research on the role of Kass Fm, in particular, in improving farm production among farmers of Chebarus location. The main problem that has been affecting farmers has been lack of market for their surplus produce .Also due to exploitation by middlemen there was the need for them to be informed. The study also focused on the need to verify if farmers have been applying the information from the radio program. It was found that 90% of farmers are still using the information on agriculture they access from radio Kass Fm.The researcher used the descriptive research and multi-stage sampling which was suitable for farmers from Chebarus location. The study had a sample size of 60 with a target population of 150. The research found out that most farmers listen to Kass Fm to access Agricultural information. The topics aired on Kass Fm were when to plant, animal feeds use of the pesticides to control pests and diseases among other. It was also found that all farmers in Chebarus location were no longer using agricultural information from Extension officers. Thisis because the government policy which required farmers to request for an officer if they are in need. This has become more expensive to farmers .Also, more farmers were not using the idea of farming from parents because it was considered to be an old method of farming. While 50% of farmers were found to be using knowledge from NGOs farmers united because the information was modern and other 50% not using because they were not comfortable working in groups, others said that the input proposed by NGO were expensive. There was the adoption of agricultural information because the radio uses vernacular language which all farmers can understand and interpret better.