The Effect of Radio Agricultural Programmes on the Activities of Small Scale Farmers in Kasese District

Abstract

Radio is a powerful communication tool. Experience with rural radio has shown the potential for agricultural extension to benefit from both the reach and the relevance that local broadcasting can achieve by using participatory communication approaches. The importance of sharing information locally and opening up wider information networks for farmers is explored with reference to the specific example of vernacular radio programmes based on research on soil and water conservation. The study was about the effect of radio agricultural programmes on the activities of small scale farmers in Kasese District. The specific objectives included to; (i) assess the relevance of Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes to small scale farmers; (ii) assess farmers’ satisfaction of Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes, (iii) assess the level of implementation of acquired knowledge from Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes, and (iv) to evaluate radio programme formats preferred by small scale farmers in acquiring knowledge. The study was a descriptive-cross sectional survey employing both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Data was captured from a sample of 216 respondents using questionnaire and interview guide. Data was analyzed using SPSS software to generate both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found out that Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes were pertinent to small scale farmer’s activities like pest and disease management, soil and water conservation, organic manure use and application, general management practices, enterprise selection, post-harvest handling and others. Programmes were equally relevant towards animal management activities like breed selection, pasture management and product marketing. The study also found out that farmers were fairly satisfied with Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes due to signal breaks. The study further found out that farmers had implemented the knowledge acquired from Agricultural Extension Radio Programmes; however the level of implementation differed based on activity/practices. The study identified the different radio programme formats preferred by small scale farmers in acquiring knowledge such as; interactive talk shows, programme repeats, evening shows and farmer-centered programs. The study concluded that Radio Agricultural Programmes had an effect on Small Scale Farmers Activities in Kasese District and recommended that Radio extension programmes be prepared and broadcasted in a way that makes them accessible to the target audience. The programs should also be broadcasted in the evenings as from 6.00 pm when farmers have returned from the field.