Three ways of knowing: Agricultural knowledge systems of small-scale farmers in Africa with reference to Kenya

•Sense-making methodology provides insight to farmers' information behavior.•Small-scale farmers use local, external, and mixed knowledge systems.•Blending systems improve communication, livelihoods, and participation.•Small-scale farmers exhibit complex and multidisciplinary information behavior.•A significant number of farmers integrate knowledge systems in farming practices.

Research carried out in 2011 in Kirinyaga district, Kenya, shows how sense-making theory and methodology can be used to assess the use of local agricultural and external knowledge by small-scale farmers and its effects on small-scale agriculture. Two knowledge systems, the local knowledge system and the external or scientific knowledge system, are considered dominant. The two systems can be synergistic and small-scale farmers have mixed them in their farming activities. Blending systems improve communication, livelihoods, and economies within local communities, and increases their participation in development. Data were collected in focus group discussions with farmers' groups and interviews with individual farmers. Results show that most farmers in Kirinyaga use external agricultural information in their farming practices. A significant number use combined external agricultural information and local knowledge, which forms a third knowledge system. This third system requires the validation of the farmers' innovations and documentation of the knowledge for wider dissemination. Information providers should adopt policies that promote the use of the three knowledge systems by small-scale farmers.