Assessment of the effectiveness of communication channels used in the Dissemination of Reproductive Technologies in Dairy Cattle in Kangema, Murang’a County

Abstract

Kenya’s population continues to increase with corresponding demand for milk consumption and related nutritional products. Despite the emerging reproductive technologies for improving dairy farming and milk production, the uptake of technologies remains relatively low in Kangema sub-county. This study evaluated the effectiveness of communication channels for dissemination of reproductive technologies among dairy farmers. It adopted a descriptive research design and employed systematic random sampling, in which 108 dairy farmers were interviewed. Data was collected using farmers questionnaires and focus group discussion. Analysis was done by use of SPSS and outcomes presented in tables, charts and graphs. The results established Artificial Insemination (AI), sexed semen and embryo transfer as the common technologies with Artificial Insemination being widely used for dairy improvement across Kangema. However, a minimal number of farmers were utilizing sexed semen technology though embryo transfer had not been considered. The most accessed and used communication channels by farmers to obtain veterinary services and other dairy services included; radio, television, veterinary doctors and peer-farmers. Radio was rated the most effective channel followed by television, while social media and internet were least preferred. A positive relationship was revealed between farmer’s education, age, monthly income and the foresaid farmers’ characteristics affecting access and uptake of reproductive technologies information by the farmers. Tailor made radio programmes in local dialect such as Mugambo wa Murimi among the kikuyu community were concluded to be the most easily accessible and effective channel of communication. The study therefore recommended that veterinary and other agricultural communication agents should package their information and technologies in a suitable way to benefit dairy farmers and others. Further, it was recommended that a combined model of radio, television, veterinary doctors and peer farmers should be devised by agents for enhancement of reception of a wide range of disseminated information regarding reproductive technologies and the best available practices in the dairy sector.