Potato is one of the most widely cultivated crops in Kenya and a crucial source of income and food. Despite the importance, potato production has been constrained by pests and diseases resulting in low yields and returns among the smallholder farmers precise those in Molo Sub-County. Plant health clinic advisory services are extension services that benefit farmers in terms of changes in knowledge, skills and management of crop pests and diseases leading to production improvement. Although are considered important mechanism in solving plant health problems, not much is known about their influence on potato production. This study sought to determine the influence of plant health clinic advisory services on potato production among smallholder farmers in Molo Sub County, Kenya. The study used a cross section survey design. The accessible population of the study was 6000 smallholder potato farmers and 10 key informants. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 152 respondents from four wards and purposive sampling for key informant. Data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages and multiple regression analysis. Frequency of contact with adviser, use of advisory services, usefulness of plant health clinic services and type of advisory information access were found to have statistically significant influence on potato production p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.007 and p = 0.000 respectively with R2 = 0.618. The study recommendation is that the Ministry of Agriculture in the study area should enhance the provision of plant health clinic advisory services to potato farmers in the area. This could help in the identification of possible areas of intervention in utilization and access so as to improve potato production.
This paper examined the effectiveness of Nakuru Farmers Call Centre (NFCC) in linking farmers to agricultural extension stakeholders in Nakuru County following reports of delays in responding to farmers’ queries and requests by NFCC, provision of low-quality services, and lack of follow-ups. The descriptive survey research design was adopted during the study. The target population was all the 3,473 farmers in Nakuru County who were registered with NFCC and the 4 center experts. A sample of 4 center experts and 110 farmers selected using census, stratified, proportionate, and simple random sampling techniques were involved in the survey. Data were collected using the farmers’ questionnaire and experts’ interview guide. Data were summarized and described using frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The findings showed NFCC had linked the majority (80.9%) of the farmers to extension stakeholders. The farmers rated linkages with Government/Public extension service providers (M = 4.15, SD = 1.21), agro-dealers (M = 4.02, SD = 1.25), and agriculture marketing services providers (M = 3.54, SD = 1.50) highly while those to agriculture university scientist (M =2.62, SD = 1.67), agricultural NGO’s (M =2.80, SD = 1.50), and research institutes (M = 2.98, SD = 1.46), were low. The overall success of NFCC in linking farmers to stakeholders was rated at M= 3.40 (SD = 0.50). NFCC was successful in linking farmers with government/public extension services providers agro-dealers and agriculture marketing services providers. However, it was not successful in linking farmers to agriculture university scientists. The number of farmers' call centers (FCC) should be increased and the centers are given adequate facilities and staff. These resources will enable FCCs to provide quality services to a wider section of farmers, link them to stakeholders promptly and make follow-ups as a way of ensuring that farmers have been assisted, thus enhancing their effectiveness.
Despite “Push pull” technology’s (PPT) effectiveness in increasing maize yields by controlling Stem borer and striga weeds, its full benefits are yet to be realized. PPT involves planting Napier grass around maize intercropped with Desmodium. Agro-dealers are often used to spread PPT but knowledge of its effectiveness was inadequate. This study sought to provide the missing information using a cross-sectional research design to collect data from a proportional stratified random sample of 102 agro-dealers in Western Kenya. A valid, closed-ended questionnaire whose 0.85α reliability was above the 0.70 acceptable was used. Data were analysed using Chi-square at 0.05α set a priori. Results: Agro-dealers’ effectiveness in communicating PPT was independent of their knowledge of it, Desmodium plant or seriousness of the striga problem but depended on frequency at which farmers sought advice from them; gender, education and years in business did not affect agro-dealers’ effectiveness; and those visited most by farmers were more effective in disseminating PPT. Conclusions: Agro-dealers are appropriate for educating males and females and spreading PPT through them enhances adoption. Recommendations: Extension providers should train and involve agro-dealers in disseminating PPT and selling certified seeds. Key words: agro-dealers, Desmodium seeds, effectiveness, farmers, maize, Napier grass, push-pull technology, Stem Borer, Striga weeds, Western Kenya.
Smallholder dairy farmers make up to 80% of total dairy producers and produce 56% of total milk in Kenya. Income from milk is the main source of their annual recurrent revenue. The critical point in the milk supply chain where improvements can contribute to increased income is through the reduction of farm-level milk losses. An innovation platform-based capacity building programme is a programme that brings together all relevant actors to assist in addressing the gaps left by the conventional government extension services when minimising farm level milk loss among smallholder dairy farmers in Mogotio sub-county. This study used a tailor-made capacity building model at Mogotio innovation platform on proper milking techniques that would make milk production economical. The study assessed the current milking practices of suckling, non-weaning and overall milk production during the lactation time through interactive learning sessions in the platform. The study was conducted in Mogotio Ward of Mogotio sub-county in Baringo County, Kenya. The target population consisted of 840 accessible smallholder dairy farmers and a purposive sample of 120 dairy farmers were involved in the baseline survey. A group of 30 farmers was selected to participate in focus group discussions. Farmers were selected for the end of project survey to determine the influence of the innovation-based capacity building programme. The interactive learning in the study assisted in broadening the knowledge base of farmers leading to improved milking techniques, high yields, more income, improved food security and hence improved livelihoods. The results from this study helped in enhancing capacity of smallholder dairy farmers and may inform policy in the dairy sector.
The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), through its extension workers, has been educating tea producers on good agricultural practices using Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Information on training cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS in Kenya were not readily available. Such information would enable tea stakeholders to develop a strategy for up-scaling FFS. This study sought to determine and describe the cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS among small-scale farmers in the Rift Valley. The study used a Cross-Sectional research design to collect data from 514 small-scale tea growers drawn randomly from KTDA factories. A questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92α was used after validation by extension experts. Face-to-Face interviews and a stakeholders’ workshop were used for triangulation purposes. Data were analyzed qualitatively and reported using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that training a farmer in a tea-based FFS in a year costs Ksh 6,076/= (US$71). The training gave farmers skills to improve their tea husbandry, yields, level of empowerment and leadership skills. The researchers concluded that training tea farmers in FFSs was cheap, sustainable and effective in changing their behavior. Stakeholders in the tea-value chain should increase funding and use of FFS in training tea farmers. Key words: benefits, cost, farmer field schools, good agricultural practices, Kenya Tea Development Agency.
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