Influence of training programme on transfer level of agricultural best practices by farmers: the case of Gandini irrigation project, Kilifi county, Kenya.

Abstract

The purpose of training is to impart new knowledge and skills; and/or to refresh the knowledge that the trainees already have. Governments and non-governmental organizations spend much on training concentrating on agricultural best practices to impart farmers with knowledge and skills to utilize sustainable natural resource management practices in food security projects believing that training will improve performance and productivity. However, unsettling questions continue to be raised about the transfer of these agricultural best practices and the return in terms of performance and productivity on this investment. This study was aimed at answering research questions on the factors of training programme that seem to influence the level of transfer of agricultural best practices, with the following objectives: to find out how trainee attributes; trainer attributes; training design; and monitoring and evaluation influence level of transfer of agricultural best practices through hypotheses testing. The study was conducted through a descriptive research survey; case of Gandini Irrigation Project. Data was collected using questionnaires administered to 108 farmers (from a population of 149 farmers) who were randomly sampled using proportionate stratified method. Focus group discussion guides were administered to 6 men and 6 women. One checklist was used to collect secondary and primary data with the help of the members of project committee and project staff in charge. Percentages and tables were used to summarize, organize and present the data. To investigate whether a dependence relationship existed between two variables or whether the variables were statistically independent, Chi-square was used to test the hypotheses. The qualitative and quantitative data was triangulated for deeper understanding. Trainee’s level of literacy, culture, trainers’ ability to deliver feedback, instructional methods, participation by the trainees, training needs assessment and monitoring were found to have influence on the transfer of agricultural best practices. The study concluded that indeed the transfer of agricultural best practices is influenced by the trainee attributes, trainer attributes, training design and monitoring and evaluation and recommended that the training programmes to thoroughly consider training needs assessment; use of exchange programmes and establishment farmer field schools for exposure and exchange of ideas and experiences; and implementers to initiate and invest in Trainer of Trainees (ToT) approach. The study recommended further studies on the influence of culture and land tenancy on transfer of agricultural best practices.