Evaluating farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and adaptation practices of seasonal weather forecasts in semi-arid South Eastern Kenya

Abstract

Considerable national and county-level efforts have been devoted to incorporating weather and climate information services (WCIS) into development planning in Kenya. However, farmers' understanding of these services remains largely unexplored. This study evaluates farmers' knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) regarding seasonal weather forecasts (SWF) in semi-arid South Eastern Kenya, where climate change poses a substantial threat to agricultural livelihoods. It employs a Tobit model and a multivariate linear regression model using survey data gathered from 652 households selected through cluster sampling. The econometric results show that access to extension services was positively associated with all three KAP components, while radio ownership was positively associated with knowledge. Education, gender and agroecological location were also significantly associated with selected KAP component scores. However, gender and location-related disparities persist across the KAP components caused by limited access, low digital literacy and insufficiently tailored WCIS content. The findings highlight the need for WCIS dissemination that integrates scientific and indigenous knowledge, localised radio programming, gender-responsive extension and user-centred digital tools. Policy actions should prioritise institutional coordination among meteorological agencies, extension systems and broadcasting media. Strengthening these pathways can enhance farmers' capacity to access and apply seasonal weather forecast information and support climate-resilient agriculture in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Heliyon, 2026 · DOI ↗