Planned social change: a case study of agricultural extension officers in South Nyakach, Kisumu District, Kenya
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Date
1990Author
Oduol, Wilhelmina A
Type
ThesisLanguage
enMetadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study focuses on those factors which
impede farmer adoption rates of agricultural
innovations in the South Nyakach Location of Kisumu
District, Kenya.
An analysis is made of organizational
issues within the extension service which affect staff
performance in their areas of operation. The
communication channels utilized to reach the farmers
are discussed and their defects illuminated. It is
argued that cultural belief systems do not necessarily
impede farmer adoption rates of innovations. On the
contrary, if people are provided with incentives they
can adopt new values and motives that can promote
development.
The study is based on data collected
between November, 1989 and February, 1990 from a sample
of 90 small-scale farm households in the area of study.
The data were derived from primary as well as secondary
sources. The primary sources included the survey
technique, participant observation and key informant
technique. On the other hand secondary sources included
library research and government statistical abstracts.
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The study concludes that attractive
incentives must be provided to extension staff to
attract, retain and motivate them to perform their
duties effectively. Suggestions are also made on how
farmers can be effectively involved in extension
services so as to improve food production in the rural
areas.
Citation
A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of master of arts in anthropology of the University Of Nairobi, Kenya.Publisher
Institute of Anthropology, Gender and African Studies