Evaluating Agricultural Extension Training and Education as Information-inputs for Maize Productivity in a Rural Set-up of North-Rift, Kenya

Abstract

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important source of staple food in Kenya. Research innovations and physical inputs, and the capacity of farmers to use them are major ingredients for crop productivity enhancement. This study evaluated agricultural extension training and formal education as elements of farmers’ capacity to use innovations and inputs. The study was conducted in a rural setup of North Rift in Kenya. Data were gathered by use of interview schedules through cross-sectional survey from 502 households sampled purposively and by simple random sampling. Welch’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to test for differences between means. 42.8% of the participants reported that they had not received agricultural extension training, 57.2% had. 65.2% had up to primary level education, 34.8% had secondary and above. Formal education up to primary was regarded as basic. Results indicated that fertilizer-use rates and maize yields differed significantly between groups ‘who had received Extension training’ and those who ‘had not been trained’; t (482.785) = -9.228, P = .000 and t (496.513) = -7.095, P = .000, respectively. Regarding formal education, fertilizer-use rates and maize yields differed significantly between ‘basic education’ category and ‘higher than basic’; t (332.28) = -5.699, P = .000 and t (290.29) = -5.438, P = .000 respectively. The alternative Mann-Whitney U test showed similar results. Effect sizes as measured by Eta-squared (ƞ2) ranged from .06 (medium) to .1445 (large). It is concluded that Agricultural extension training had a highly significant influence on maize productivity. Formal education showed a positive impact on fertilizer-use adoption and maize productivity. This study has significance in the formulation of policy on agricultural extension training and investments to ensure all segments of society are equipped with relevant information for crop yield enhancement and food security.