IMPACTS OF DEMAND DRIVEN AGR ICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES ON MAIZE PRODUCTION AND SOIL CONSERVATION AMONG SMALL SCALE FARMERS IN MOIBEN SUB-CCOUNTY, UASIN GISHU COUNTY, KENYA.

Abstract

Demand-driven agriculture extension services emphasize the need to provide services that meet the needs and priorities of farmers. In Kenya demand driven extension services were implemented through National Agriculture and Livestock Extension programme (NALEP) that started in the year 2000 and ended in December 2011.This was after other models of extension services that were supply driven failed to meet farmers‟ expectations. However the impact of the programme in Moiben Sub-County of Uasin-Gishu County has never been established. The main purpose of this study therefore was to assess the impacts of Demand-driven agriculture extension services (specifically NALEP) on maize production and soil conservation among small scale farmers in Moiben Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County. The study adopted a descriptive survey method and the sampling frame comprised of respondents drawn from household heads, Agriculture extension officers and farmer representatives. Simple random sampling was used to select 5 locations out of the 10 locations in the Sub-County from which purposive sampling was used to identify small scale farmers who practiced maize farming. The sample size per cluster was proportionally determined and simple random sampling used to get the required sample size of 203 respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to gather information relevant to this study. Quantitative data was analyzed by use of frequencies, means and percentages while qualitative data was summarized and interpreted in line with the research objectives. Inferential statistics involving multiple regression model was used to determine the influence of socio-economic characteristics on farmers‟ participation in NALEP. Results were presented in form of figures and tables. The study revealed the following: -Age and level of education of the household head influenced farmers‟ participation in NALEP programme, NALEP had a positive impact on maize production with a 52% increase in production and 77.9% of the farmers adopting soil conservation measures. Cost involved, low farmer extension officer contact, poor road network and luck of adequate knowledge on extension services were some of the challenges highlighted by the farmers that hindered them access extension services. The study recommended that Uausin-Gishu County should emulate NALEP approach but pay attention to the following: - sensitize the farmers on the importance of participation in extension programmes, employ more agriculture extension offices, improve rural road networks and prioritize agriculture in its budgetary allocation in order to improve on efficiency and effectiveness of extension services.