| dc.description.abstract | Women are vital part of any society. Over the years, there is a gradual realization of the key role of women in agricultural development and their contribution in the field of agriculture, food security horticulture, processing nutrition, sericulture, fisheries and other important sectors. Comprising the majority of agricultural labourers, women have been putting in labour not only in terms of physical output but also in terms of quality and efficiency. Women have participated in green gram production in all levels of production from Land preparation to marketing of the crop. The production of green grams has been practiced mostly in the rural centres and women have been noted to participate in it. Education has direct effects on agricultural production. In a country that depends majorly on agriculture for food security and economic development like Kenya, the education system has to be relevant and majorly inclined to agriculture. The system and curriculum of extension education has to be in line with production of pulses like beans, peas, lentils and green grams which form the highest percentage of food crops grown in Kenya. The ability to effectively comprehend on the content of extension education also depends majorly on the level of basic education of a person. Women with higher level of education in many parts of the world participate more effectively in agricultural production. The cultural aspect of women education and the social norms and values as a result of it affect the participation of women in agricultural production. This study aimed at finding out Impact of Education of Women on Production of Green Grams in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The study was guided by the following objectives: To establish whether the level of education of women affects green gram production in Elgeyo Marakwet county; to establish the training opportunities available for women on green gram production, the relevance of training opportunities for women on green gram production, to establish whether the knowledge and skills of women affects green gram production in Elgeyo Marakwet county. The study employed a descriptive research design whereby both qualitative and quantitative data were used in finding solutions for the study. The study targeted a population of 900 women in Tunyo Division of Elgeyo Marakwet County. Mugenda and Mugenda‟s formula (2003) was used to calculate the sample size of 269 green gram farmers. Stratified sampling according to the locations was done after which systematic sampling was used to select the final respondents. Ministry of agriculture officials concerned with extension education and traders involved in green grams trade were also interviewed. The study used questionnaires, interviews and Document review and analysis in collection of data. Data collected was analysed using descriptive frequency tables and percentages. The results of the study showed that education had 60.8% of impact on green gram production in Tunyo Division (p<0.05). Results of the study further showed that there are few training opportunities available for women in the area and that the level of education of women was low, women had no adequate knowledge and skills on green gram production. The findings showed that training opportunities were relevant for ensuring women were socio – economically empowered. Challenges that women faced was related to ineffective training provided, lack of basic knowledge and long distance to training centres. The study recommends that the government should regularly provide training to women in the area through availing enough manpower to reach all sections of the district which were unreached while the women need to organise themselves in groups to ensure that they get first-hand information on developments of green gram farming. | en |
