Abstract
Farmer field schools (FFSs) were introduced in western Kenya in 1995 to empower farmers with knowledge for informed decision making. Taking cognizance of diverse farming systems, the FFSs applied integrated production and pest management (IPPM) approach. IPPM involves training farmers on productivity-enhancing technologies, especially soil fertility and pest management, and how to access agricultural services – extension and credit to improve adoption. However, the influence of the FFSs on adoption of the technologies is not clearly understood. The objectives of this study were to assess adoption of soil fertility-enhancing and pest control practices by FFS and non-FFS households; analyze farmers’ access to credit and extension services; and evaluate households’ social capital. Data were collected from a random sample of 401 households and analyzed by descriptive statistics. The main soil fertility-enhancing technologies adopted were chemical fertilizers (64%), farmyard manure (56%), and compost (13%). The mean rate of chemical fertilizer application was lower than recommended, but slightly higher among FFS households than non-FFS households (p = 0.149). The main pest control method was use of local concoctions (50%). Sixty-nine percent of the households received extension advice and a paltry 3% accessed credit. Regarding social capital, 91% of the households had members in one or more social organizations/groups, of which the most important group for one-third of the households was “merry-go-round.” We conclude that taking technologies to grass roots and improving farmers’ knowledge requires concomitant improvement in access to complementary agricultural services for improved adoption and impacts.
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Acknowledgments
We acknowledge IFAD-TAG through FAO for financial support. Special thanks to the enumerators for collecting high-quality data. We gratefully thank the staff from the Ministry of Agriculture for logistical support during data collection. Last, but by no means least, many thanks to the farmers for taking time to discuss with us.
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Odendo, M., Khisa, G. (2011). Taking Soil Fertility Management Technologies to the Farmers’ Backyard: The Case of Farmer Field Schools in Western Kenya. In: Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Okeyo, J., Maina, F., Kihara, J. (eds) Innovations as Key to the Green Revolution in Africa. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2543-2_108
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2543-2_108
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