Beyond Access: Utilization of Radio programmes in dissemination of climate change adaptation information to smallholder farmers in Nyando and West Nyakach Kisumu County

Résumé

Climate change continues to pose significant challenges to rural communities, particularly smallholder farmers whose livelihoods depend largely on rain-fed agriculture. In Nyando and West Nyakach Sub-counties of Kisumu County, recurrent floods, droughts and erratic rainfall patterns have increased the need for timely and accessible climate-change adaptation information. Despite existing climate policies and information systems, gaps remain in the effective communication and utilization of such information. Radio, as a widely accessible medium in rural communities, provides an important platform for disseminating climate-change adaptation information. However, empirical evidence on the factors shaping farmers’ utilization of radio-based climate-change adaptation messages remains limited. This study examined the utilization of radio programmes in disseminating climate-change adaptation information among smallholder farmers in Nyando and West Nyakach Sub-counties, Kisumu County. Specifically, the study examined the extent and nature of radio programmes in disseminating climate-change adaptation information, the factors shaping farmers’ attitudes and behaviours in utilizing radio-based adaptation messages, and the influence of radio stations’ editorial policies on the selection, production and dissemination of climate-change adaptation content. The study was guided by Uses and Gratifications Theory and Agenda-Setting Theory and adopted a convergent mixed-methods design. Purposive sampling was used to select the study areas and participating radio stations, while simple random sampling was used to select 397 smallholder farmers based on Yamane’s sample size formula. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through focus group discussions, key informant interviews and Photovoice. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS Version 26, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings indicate substantial radio reach among farmers, with 91.8% reporting regular access to radio and 95.8% reporting exposure to a radio programme concerning climate change or weather information during the month preceding the survey. Utilization of radio-based adaptation information was positively associated with credibility and trust, clarity and comprehension, relevance and localization, accessibility, and exposure frequency. In the regression analysis, relevance and localization, credibility and trust, clarity and comprehension, and accessibility significantly predicted utilization, whereas exposure frequency did not significantly predict utilization when the other factors were controlled. Qualitative findings further showed that editorial decisions concerning issue selection, source verification, framing, language, programme format, scheduling, localization and audience participation influenced the selection and dissemination of climate-change adaptation content. The study recommends that radio stations strengthen regular, locally relevant and actionable climate-change adaptation programming; adopt audience-centred and participatory communication approaches; strengthen editorial processes and collaboration with agricultural and meteorological institutions; and establish effective farmer feedback mechanisms to improve the utilization of radio-based climate-change adaptation information.