| dc.description.abstract | The study sought to investigate the influence of co
mmunication on adoption of
agricultural innovation and technology. The study u
sed a case of the System of Rice
Intensification (SRI) which was introduced to farme
r in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in
2009. The study was guided by three specific object
ives which were; to determine the
communication factors affecting the adoption of sys
tem of rise intensification; to find out
the influence of background characteristics in adop
tion of system of rise intensification
and to identify the barriers facing rice farmers in
adoption of system of rice
intensification.
The study adopted a descriptive research approach w
hich used questionnaires, key
informant interview guide and observation checklist
. The use of qualitative and
quantitative data techniques enhanced the validity
and reliability of the research. The
study was able to gather 81 complete questionnaires
which fulfilled the criteria for
analysis. The researcher was able to conduct a key
informant interview with one of the
project initiators. The data was presented in chart
s, graphs and tables and was added by
the researcher’s own interpretation.
The study findings showed that education of the far
mers and experience of the farmer
influence adoption of SRI. In terms of communicatio
n, the frequency of interaction
between farms and extension officers, availability
of information on SRI were the most
significant determinants of adoption whereas the so
urce of information was the least. The
barriers of adoption were the investments costs and
inadequate information on SRI.
The study concludes that the frequency of communica
tion between the farmers and
extension agents was a significant communication fa
ctor affecting adoption of Sri among
the Mwea Irrigation Scheme farmers. The availabilit
y of information was also shows to
be a communication factor affecting adoption of SRI
with the results indicating that the
source of information was not a significant factor
in determining adoption of SRI. Among
the socio-economic variables influence on adoption
of agricultural innovation are
education levels and the farmers’ experience. The b
arriers facing farmers in adoption of
SRI in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme were investments
costs, lack of adequate information
on Sri and lack of previous experience of technolog
y.
The study recommends that more sensitization of The
SRI technology to farmers through
the extension officers and technical staff of the p
roject. Previous studies have shown that
the rate of adoption has been higher among those fa
rmers that have more interaction with
technical staff in their farms. That facilitation b
etween farmers and the SRI project
implementers on communication of information. This
would entail identifying the
information that farmers need to be provided in ord
er to be sensitized on SRI through
field visits. That the SRI project implementers sho
uld engage with farmers who have had
more experience in rice farming and those with high
er level of education. This will
provide motivation for other farmers as they study
found that these two groups are the
most likely adoptees of SRI. | en_US |
