Effectiveness of agricultural extension education on rice farming at Ahero irrigation scheme

Abstract

This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of agricultural extension education on rice farming at Ahero irrigation scheme. Specifically, the study focused on: the type of agricultural extension education provided to rice farmers at Ahero irrigation scheme, organizations and agencies providing agricultural extension education, strategies used in providing agricultural extension education extent to which rice farmers at Ahero irrigation scheme participate in agricultural extension education and the impact of agricultural extension education on rice farming at Ahero irrigation scheme. This study used case study design where both qualitative and quantitative data was collected. Interview schedules were used to collect data from the district agricultural extension officer of Muhoroni and two heads of departments of Ahero irrigation rice scheme all of whom were purposively sampled. Questionnaire was used to collect data from fifty rice farmers in the scheme. The farmers were randomly selected to participate in the study. Data obtained from open-ended items in the questionnaire and interview schedules were analysed and reported qualitatively through narrative form. Data obtained from closeended items were analysed and presented quantitatively through frequency tables and percentages. Some of the key findings of the study were that: 94 percent of the farmers indicated that they had been provided with agricultural extension education. The respondents also indicated that a number of strategies had been used to provide agricultural extension education to rice farmers in the scheme including : field days, use of group leaders, group or team work, visiting other rice irrigation schemes, lectures by experts, use of pamphlets and videos and also the use of workshops and seminars. Furthermore, the district agricultural extension officer indicated that the agricultural extension education had a great impact on rice farming as it had increased rice production from 10 bags to 20 bags per acre of land . From the findings of the study, conclusions were derived indicating that majority of the farmers were involved in agricultural extension education programmes . However, a certain percentage of the farmers were not involved in such programmes . In addition, the agricultural extension education provided to farmers at Ahero rice irrigation scheme was effective despite facing a number of challenges which need to be addressed. Based on the findings and conclusions, recommendations were made including the need for the scheme management to involve farmers in the scheme to come up with suitable criteria that will ensure participation of all farmers in agricultural extension education programmes. The organizations and agencies providing agricultural extension education to rice farmers in the scheme should promote the use of modern technology such as mobile phones in giving information to rice farmers. Moreover, the management of the scheme should partner with other stakeholders to ensure that all farmers in the scheme embrace new methods of farming and marketing of their produce in order to enjoy maximum benefit.