Information-Seeking Behaviour and Productivity of Smallscale Poultry Farmers: A Case of Kabaa Sub-Location, Machakos County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Riithi, Caroline Wanjiru
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Information is important for decision-making, personal development and day to day
endeavors. The correct information-seeking behaviour will assist the user in finding
the required information. This study sought to investigate the information seeking
behaviour for small-scale poultry famers. The study was guided by four objectives
as follows; to establish information literacy of small-scale farmers, to establish
sources of poultry information, establish how Kabaa small-scale farmers seek
information and to establish challenges of accessing information by Kabaa smallscale
poultry farmers The study was guided by Wilson's 2007 model of
information-seeking behaviour. The target population for the study was 86 farmers
and 2 livestock officers. Data was collected from all 86 farmers and the 2 livestock
officers. A pilot study was carried out at the neighboring Yatta sub-county since
they had similar agricultural activities and both were semi-arid .This helped the
researcher determine the validity, reliability, and suitability of the research
instruments. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview schedule and
analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 27 of
2020. It was later presented using tables, charts, and graphs. The study established
that Kabaa poultry farmers have very poor information seeking behavior and they
were not able to seek or access the most current and up to date information about
poultry keeping. This was because most of them could not be able to use a
computer or an android phone to access information, which is mostly found in soft
copies. A big number of farmers also had resistance to change, such that they did
not embrace the new technology in poultry keeping. The study recommend that, the
livestock officers should organize for seminars to educate the farmers on the new
technologies and their benefits as well as how to use computers and android phones
to access current information on poultry.
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Fulfillment of the
Requirement for the Award of the Master Degree in ( Library
ind Information Science ) in the School of Education and
Lifelong Learning of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Information-Seeking, Smallscale Poultry Farmers, Kabaa Sub-Location, Machakos County, Kenya