Factors affecting communication channels preference by farmers in access of information on adoption of agricultural technology for Striga control: A case of Bungoma county, Kenya

Information dissemination is a key element in the adoption of the different striga control technologies. Majority of farmers tend to lag in adoption of Striga control technologies due to lack of information about the technologies. Information materials should thus include simple explanations to farmers on how the control measures work. This study sought to establish the most preferred communication channels by farmers in accessing agricultural technology based information. Farmers in Associations (FAs) in Bungoma County have been accessing information on agricultural technologies from various sources like University of Eldoret using Information Communication Technologies and the convention extension methods. The study was carried out in Bungoma County, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted. The target population included farmers in Associations and non-member farmers. A sample size of 210 respondents was used in the study. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview schedules were used to collect data from the FAs and Non FAs farmers. Quantitative statistics was used to compute means, percentages and standard deviations. A t-test was performed at 5% significant level. The study revealed that farmers’ meetings were the most preferred channel of communication. The findings of this study would be important to extension officers in Bungoma County by providing information on the preferred communication channels for enhanced adoption of striga control technology in maize crops.