Influence of extension approaches on onfarm tree planting: a case of farmer field schools in Mbeere district, Embu county, Kenya
Abstract
The objectives of the study were : To establish the influence of participatory
technology development as a Farmer Field School extension approach technique on
on-farm tree planting by farmers in Mbeere District ; To assess the influence of
farmers training as a Farmer Field School extension approach technique on on-farm
tree planting by farmers in Mbeere district and To determine the influence of adoption
of suitable tree planting systems as a Farmer Field School extension approach
technique on on-farm tree planting by farmers in Mbeere District. . The study was
carried out using descriptive survey design. The sample size for the study was 300
farmers who were drawn from the four divisions in Mbeere District. The data was
obtained from the respondents by the use of questionnaires which were structure
based on the objectives of the study and were composed of both closed and open
ended questions. The final data was entered into a computer by the use of SPSS and
Excel softwares for analysis, presented and interpreted based on the study objectives.
The study found that participatory technology development has made the farmers
adopted new skills and techniques in tree production and management in their farms.
It also found that training as FFS extension approach have provided tree farmers with
hands on experience on how to carrying out various experiments during the Farmer
Field School (FFS) sessions, make observations, record and analyze their findings and
come up with solutions for the problems affecting them. Lastly, the study found that
tree farmers in Mbeere district have adopted suitable tree planting systems in their
farms to meet their requirement in terms of wood based tree products and ensure
agricultural sustainability that maximizes on farm productivity that improves their
livelihood. However the farmers’ ability to expand on their tree planting in the district
to meet their requirement has been constrained by lack of enough land for expansions
as most of them rely on their family lands which can hardly allow massive investment
in tree planting.The study recommends that Kenya Forest Service should find ways of
encouraging more participation of farmers in FFS training sessions so as to increase
tree planting for agricultural land conservation, climatic conditions improvement and
ensuring sustainable food security in the district and country as a whole. The trees
planted in the farms should not only cater for domestic use but also for commercial
needs. The tree farmers should consider acquiring more land outside their ancestral
boundaries in order to provide more spaces for tree planting. Finally the government
should find better ways of providing incentives to farmers to invest more on tree
planting.
Citation
Master Of Arts Degree In Project Planning And ManagementPublisher
University of Nairobi Faculty of Arts
Collections
- Faculty of Education (FEd) [5963]