Training needs in soil fertility management for farmers and extension workers in central highlands of Kenya

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify training requirements of farmers and extension agents for effective and enhanced uptake and utilization of these technologies in the central highlands of Kenya. The study was carried out in Meru South, Maara and Mbeere South districts. To determine the farmers’ training needs,individual household interviews were conducted from300 randomly selected farmers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information from 55 extension agents from the study area. Data wasanalyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean and percentages using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) programme version 16.0. The priority training need for farmers in the study area was soil testing (mean of 4.4) while for the extension agents was the use of animal manure + fertilizers (mean of 4.6), use of animal manure (mean of 4.3), skills onsoil erosion control and conservation (mean of 4.3), soil testing (mean of 4.2) and use of inorganic fertilizers (mean of 4.2). These results provide a guide tothe policy makers in designing capacity building modules and materials targeted at different stakeholders, thereby increasing stakeholders’ levels of knowledge and adoption levels of the soil fertility management technologies. This is envisaged to lead to increased crop production, household food security, reduction of extreme poverty and improved environmental management at the long run.