Nyamai, Emma2025-01-272025-01-272024Nyamai, E. (2024). An Investigation of Weather–Forecast Technology Adoption and Its Influence on Crop Farmers’ Operational Decision Making: A Case of Kinanie Ward, Machakos County, Kenya. Daystar University, School of Applied Human Scienceshttps://repository.daystar.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6153MASTER OF ARTS in Monitoring and EvaluationGlobally, climate change has been found to affect food production and thus food security. The need for accurate weather forecasts is made greater by smallholder farmers’ high dependency on rain-fed agriculture. This is particularly more prominent in the already vulnerable arid and semi-arid lands which record notably more adverse weather patterns. This occasioned the need for the present study, which sought to investigate the adoption of weather-forecast technology and its influence on crop farmers’ operational decision making with reference to Kinanie Ward, Athi River – Machakos County, Kenya. More specifically, the study had the following objectives: Determine the crop farmers’ perception of weather forecasting technology; Identify the level of adoption of weather forecasting technology by the crop farmers; Ascertain the operational decisions that crop farmers make on the basis of the weather information they receive; and Investigate farmers’ challenges in adopting weather forecasting technology. The theories guiding this research were the Diffusion of Innovation theory and the Technology Acceptance Model. This study employed descriptive survey design and utilized both structured questionnaires and interview guide to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. Consequently, both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques were employed in analyzing it. While quantitative analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistics, qualitative analysis entailed the thematic content analysis technique. The findings of this study revealed that 62.8% of those interviewed had a positive perception of weather forecasting technologies with 73% favoring weather forecasts from the extension officers and actual adoption of weather forecasting technologies being 43.9%. The operational decisions made on the farm due to having access to weather forecast technology relate to crop husbandry (which crop to plant) (50%) as the information accessed mostly relates to onset of rainfall and temperature information. It was quite evident that crop farmers are ready to learn, adopt and optimally use weather forecast technologies as long as their concerns are met. The study recommended that the willingness displayed by the farmers to adopt and use the technologies be tapped into by investing in training programs that are tailored to their local forecast needs and should penetrate through effective extension services. Micro-climate weather forecasting should be promoted to ensure accuracy and relevance at the farm level. Local language use and culturally relevant communication methods should also be considered in disseminating weather information. In conclusion, this study highlights the positive perception and willingness of crop farmers in Kinanie Ward to adopt weather forecasting technology, though challenges remain in its effective implementation. Increased educational support, participatory development approaches, and tailored training could enhance adoption rates and help farmers make informed operational decisions. Addressing institutional and technical barriers will be essential to unlock the full potential of weather forecasting technology for sustainable farming practices in the region.enClimate changeFood securitySmallholder farmersRain-fed agriculture.Thesis