An Assessment of The Effects of Communication Strategies in Promoting Forest Conservation: A Case Study of The Kipepeo Butterfly Project

Abstract

Deforestation has wiped out most parts of original forests in Kenya. The high rates of deforestation have increased as a result of the lack of effective communication strategies and mediums put in place for forest conservation initiatives such as the practice of butterfly farming. This research study sought to assess the communication strategies used in promoting forest conservation through butterfly farming practice. Previous research studies indicate high rates of deforestation as a result of lacking effective communication strategies and mediums put in place for forest conservation initiatives such as the practice of butterfly farming. To curb this problem there is need to identify and implement efficient communication strategies. It is therefore important to conduct this research study so as to showcase the communication strategies used by KBF thus raise awareness for others to emulate similar initiatives for the sake of conserving threatened Kenyan forests. The target population consisted of farmers around the KBF. Data collection was done through the use of questionnaires. Multi stage sampling was used to select a sample size of 100 farmers from 16 villages with a population of 374. Data was analyzed using SPSS and presented using frequency tables and bar graphs. The study found the participation communication strategy as the most used and preferred strategy by the farmers. The study also revealed that community meetings known as baraza’s were the most used and preferred communication channels used in conjunction with the communication strategies. The study recommends that there is need for KBF to explore other community based communication ways to train its farmers other than the most common such as barazas, demonstrations, trainings and forums. There is also need to encourage the female to practice butterfly farming for the purpose of conserving Kenyan forests