Use of Extension Services by Smallholder Farmers in Kitui County, Kenya: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Agriculture supports the livelihoods of rural people in developing countries, including Kenya. Agriculture is the mainstay and driver of the Kenyan rural economy. Despite the critical role of agriculture in Kenya, poor access to extension support services persists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utilization of agricultural extension services by smallholder farmers in Kitui County, Kenya. A total 99 farmers were sampled from Kitui County using a stratified random sampling approach. Secondary information sources such as national and county ministries reports and existing literature were reviewed to supplement the primary data. A Questionnaire was the main tool used for data collection in this study. Data obtained were analyzed through descriptive statistics. This study found that most farmers in Kitui County had access to extension service in their various crop and /or livestock enterprises. Majority of the farmers who had received extension services had applied all the recommendations made by the extension workers. The complexity of technology was stated as the most common reason for the non-application of some recommendations. Majority of the sampled farmers preferred extension information packaged in the form of print, the extension officer himself/face-to-face, radio, television, internet, Barazas, farm visit and self-explanation. Transports, both for the farmer to the service provider’s office and for the service provider to the farm, was cited as a major expenses in livestock and crop agricultural extension. This study recommend that more funds should be allocated to an agricultural extension. For efficient delivery of extension service in Kitui County, extension officers should be well facilitated (especially through adequate transport facilities and access to technologies). Agricultural Extension work requires more funds to reach most of the farmers in vast Kitui County.

Key Words — Extension Services, Smallholder Farmers, Challenges, Opportunities.