THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY RADIO BROADCASTING IN AGRICULTURAL MAIZE PRODUCTION IN RURAL KENYA: A CASE STUDY OF KISIMA COMMUNITY RADIO IN NYAMIRA COUNTY

Abstract

Purpose: Radio has formed a key component in improving agricultural production by creating awareness among farmers about agricultural information and the availability of markets for their produce. However, local farmers’ access to agricultural information has for long time remained very poor at various phases of the rural development as a result of the language radio uses to reach them. The use of vernacular radio stations like Kisima community Radio which uses Ekegusii to reach local farmers with the information they need would, provide the opportunity for improving farm production. This study explored the ways in which Kisima a vernacular community broadcasting Radio contributes in the improvement of farm productivity of its audience.

Methodology: The study used descriptive research design. It was conducted through a case study of Kisima Community Radio, in Nyamira County. The target population of this study was all small-scale maize farmers aged between 15 to 65years in Borabu Constituency. The sample frame for this study was a list of villages from Borabu Sub County. A multistage sampling was used to sample villages and family representatives. The study employed expert interviews, questionnaires and semi-structured interviews for the farmers. Being a descriptive research, the data was analyzed and tabulated using descriptive methods which illustrated the diverse findings of the study.

Results: Respondents acknowledged the unique role of Kisima community radio being a media for agricultural communication. Majority of the producers indicated awareness of the role to a large extent; this was good since it became easier for them to use their power to produce agricultural content, control content that would help improve maize production in Borabu Sub County. During content production producers ought to be aware the impact some content can have on the farmers, this was seen to be agreed upon by 77.78% of the producers who observed the need on the ground before reporting. There was also a strong indication of independence among the producers to approve content that they felt was capable of causing different reactions in maize farming. The Kisima Community Radio programs on farming through their producers are passionate about Maize farming. The radio has started supporting farmers where producers have seen the need to help improve maize farming through regular programming of maize farming discussions and sensitization on the prices of maize for farmers, which means, therefore, more income for the farmers.

Policy Recommendation: There should be more pro-activeness from the farmers.  This can only be achieved through empowerment and offering the right agriculture solutions so as to have this vision a reality. There should be campaigns that seek to reward farmers who have embraced new methods of farming plus those who seek to boost the agriculture culture in Borabu Sub-county. There should also be on ground farmers field days where farmers get to feel mingle with other farmers and get challenged to boost their maize farming methods.  This will in turn motivate the farmers who are doing well to continue working hard. Also in as much as county and community leaders will offer solutions for farming, the farmers too should be given a platform to voice their needs through Kisima community radio.

Key word: Community Radio Broadcasting, Agricultural Maize Production, Kisima Community Radio, Nyamira County