Agricultural Extension Approaches Influencing Uptake of Improved Sorghum Technologies in Embu County, Kenya

Abstract

Agricultural extension and technology transfer services play a vital role in disseminating research knowledge, skills and income generating strategies among the farming communities in Kenya. However, there exists a kind of disconnect between the amount of information and technologies developed in research centres and what is implemented by the farmers. The study evaluated the access and use of extension approaches in promoting uptake of improved sorghum technologies. The study systematically selected 129 farmers from four villages. Data on farmers' gender, age, household leadership, occupation and agricultural extension approaches were collected. The study revealed that 83% of the respondents were female out of which, 67% were engaged in improved sorghum production technologies. Besides, 56% young women (20 to 49 years) had embraced the growing of improved sorghum varieties Gadam and Sila 1. Further, mobile phones and radio services were the main means of access to the improved sorghum technologies. In addition, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.122, P=0.01) between extension approaches and uptake of the sorghum technologies. Besides government agricultural extension agents, visits to progressive farmers and/or research sites and use of demonstration plots contributed to 68% and influenced uptake of improved sorghum technologies. It was concluded that gender, family position and age of the farmer contribute to the uptake of improved sorghum technologies. Moreover, mobile phones and radio technologies play an important role in access of sorghum technologies.

Impact of Plant Clinics on Disease and Pest Management, Tomato Productivity and Profitability In Malawi

“…Agricultural extension and advisory programmes are key policy instruments used to promote agricultural productivity in many countries as they play a key role in ensuring information flow across the chain, thereby enhancing the performance of the whole agricultural supply chain system (Chimoita et al, 2017). However, farmers require more specific knowledge and awareness of how to manage the pests and diseases in their fields.…”

Contextualizing private sector-based seed system development: The case of sorghum in Eastern Africa

“…6 In eastern Kenya, Mwangi et al (2021) find that 57% of the sampled households adopted an improved sorghum variety. Chimoita et al (2017) find a 58% adoption rate of improved sorghum in Embu County in Kenya. However, the sample size is small with only 129 households included.…”

Culture as a predictor of effective adoption of climate-smart agriculture in Mbeere North, Kenya

“…This research is a part of a larger study being conducted in Mbeere North Sub-county by several research teams (Gikunda et al, 2022). The research project employed a correlational survey design involving a population of 2,047 farmers (Chimoita et al, 2017). The design was considered suitable since the study was intended to relate culture to adoption of climate-smart practices (Fraenkel et al, 2015).…”