UPSCALING UPTAKE OF CLIMATE INFORMATION FOR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN TRANS-NZOIA, KENYA

Abstract

Climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns, causing uncertainties in global food production, with Africa being particularly vulnerable due to its climate-dependent livelihoods. This study focuses on Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya, within the IGAD region, which heavily relies on agriculture and is impacted by climate variability affecting planting seasons. The research aimed to assess the level of climate information access among small-scale farmers in the region. A quantitative cross-sectional study design, guided by the Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory, was used to explore the channels through which farmers access climate information. Findings revealed that farmers primarily use traditional (radio, television) and social media (WhatsApp, Facebook) for climate information, with social media being the most preferred. Reasons for preference included ease of access, interactivity, affordability, and comprehensibility. The study also found that social media is popular among rural farmers, challenging the assumption that rural communities rely solely on traditional media. The study recommends that ICPAC and KMD expand their use of social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook in addition to television and radio to enhance climate information dissemination at a minimal cost.