Relationship between farmers' educational attainment and milk production in Eldama-ravine Division, Koibatek District, Baringo County

Abstract

Although education in Kenya has been offered for several years, several million of Kenyans are still poor and faced with acute food shortage and starvation. Failure to address the mismatch between education and agricultural production may worsen the situation. The purpose of the study was to determine whether Kenya's education system was able to transform its students to be economically productive especially in dairy production and hence fostering rural development in Koibatek district. The objective was to determine the effect of the level of education and use of appropriate technology in milk production. The study adopted a diagnostic approach using descriptive correlation design to investigate the relationship between farmers' level of education and milk production and to find the possibility of increasing milk production through effective quality education. The location of the research was the catchment areas of Sabatia Farmer's Cooperative Society in Eldama Ravine Division of Koibatek District, with a target population of 700 active members, 9 management and 3 supervisory committee members and 29 members of staff. A sample size of 248 members, 6 management and 2 supervisory committee members and 23 staff members were selected. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the dairy farmers, committee members and staff members. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics using means, coefficients, frequencies, and percentages with the aid of the statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) to determine whether there exists a statistical relationship between level of education of a farmer and quantity of milk produced. The results were presented using tables, diagrams, figures, percentages and in words. Summary of major findings, conclusions and recommendations were made as well as areas for further researches were put forward. The findings of the study would be useful to education programme developers and educational planners in developing education relevant to agricultural growth and hence contributing to rural development, poverty reduction and economic growth as well as the realisation of the vision 2030.