Communication Barrier: Effect of Noise on Adoption of Irish Potato Farming Innovations in Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

This paper explored the effect of noise on the adoption of Irish potato farming innovations in Meru County, Kenya. This study used a qualitative research design. The population of this study comprised all the farmers in Kibirichia Ward in Central Imenti Constituency, Meru County. The target population was 11,907 area residents (Irish potato farmers) from the four sub-locations (Kimbo, Gathuine, Kiamiogo, Mburugiti) spread across 3,327 households. The researcher conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) of nine members. One focus group from each of the four sub-locations was purposively sampled from Kibirichia Ward. Participating farmers were selected using homogeneous sampling. Findings revealed that noise was present during the communication of information on the adoption of Irish potato farming innovations. Noise resulted from braying donkeys, passing vehicles, power saws logging trees, barking dogs, visual and hearing impairment, complex terminologies which were unfamiliar to farmers, hunger, stress, frustration, irritation, illnesses, wondering thoughts, and tiredness.

Further, findings revealed that while discussing physiological noise, respondents did not mention farmers who were completely deaf or blind but rather those who were partially deaf or blind. Findings also revealed that noise occurred whenever there was a communication of information on the adoption of Irish potato farming innovations. Respondents used several ways to reduce various types of noise that were present during the exchange of agricultural messages. Finally, study results showed that noise led to low adoption of Irish potato farming innovations in Kibirichia Ward. This paper recommends that Irish potato farmers should give considerable attention to noise to avert or reduce its effect on the adoption of Irish potato innovations.