The Impact of Agriculture Extension Training Programs on the Extension Services in Kenya

Abstract

Many studies have shown challenges and in some cases major failures toward the training programs sponsored by extension services. Extension services in Kenya are supposed to help local farming communities’ increase their productivity towards the survival of the agriculture industry in Kenya. Farming is the main source of income and survival for many Kenyans therefore; this research looked in to the perceptions of the farmers toward the extension services in Kisumu district, Kenya. Another part of this research was to discover the preference of the farmers toward different extension approaches to create motivation for the farmers, to participate in the extension training programs. The research showed a significant motivation factor presents in the farming community of Kenya, to learn new techniques to improve their farming practices and to become more profitable. However, due to lack of organization and planning by the extension services, farmers got discouraged to attend any training or workshop in their farming community. Another factor is the non-supportive government incentives toward extension services Many extension agents could not be found in the farming communities to provide farmers timely information and guidance toward their problems. Lastly, the extension workstations were without proper technology and resources due to lack of funding by the government, which created a dilemma for the Kenyans farming community.