Participatory Livelihood Analysis as an Alternative Method for Agricultural Extension Needs-Assessment: Case of a Rural Community in Kenya

Abstract

The well-being of the rural population globally has been associated with the performance and resilience of the agriculture sector. The sector continually requires new needs-based knowledge and technologies. It has become necessary to empower the rural communities through a wider bottom-up system that directly addresses their needs. This paper explores the application of little-used Participatory Livelihood Analysis for the adoption and up-scaling of its use in the assessment of agricultural-extension-needs for disadvantaged rural communities. It presents a case study of a village perceived by Agriculture stakeholders as disadvantaged in Nandi County, Kenya. Using a case study design and a participatory livelihood analysis approach, the descriptive study analyses the pentagon of resources (Natural/Land, human, social, physical and financial) based on the sustainable livelihood framework. It identifies livelihood strategies, constraints and opportunities for improvement on the performance of the livelihood strategies. The study observed that the Participatory Livelihood Analysis approach was an effective method in the assessment of agricultural-extension-needs of disadvantaged communities in relatively remote locations. Further trials of the approach in similar socio-economic contexts for use in needs assessment are recommended.