Farmer- Trainer Extension Approach in Agroforestry: An Application of Cost Benefit Analysis in Selected Project Sites in Kenya
Loading...
Date
2001
Authors
Tanui, J. K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Agroforestry can improve productivity in many ways. This includes increased output of tree
products, improved yields of associated crops, reduction of cropping systems input and
increased labour efficiency. Though ready access to appropriate technology can better the
lives of the resource poor farmer, the adoption rates of recommended technologies has not
been as high as would be expected. The challenge therefore has been to look for extension
alternatives that embrace a defined methodology for participatory learning, and mobilize
local creativity, energy, knowledge and experience in the search for context-specific
solutions, which capitalize on diversity.
The Farmer-trainer extension approach is based on group training of identified farmers who
have the scope and skills to become trainers of other farmers on agroforestry techniques.
Their existing skills are improved through on-the-job farmer and extension staff joint
training workshops. The farmer-trainers are then encouraged to train their neighbour fanners
the skills acquired and hence make them farmer-followers through adopting recommended
technologies and also taking up training of other farmers. It is envisaged that this would
create a multiplier effect improving and expanding the practice of agroforestry innovations
thereby improving the adoption rates.
The overall objective of this study is to establish the viability of the Farmer-trainer extension
approach in terms of influencing adoption of agroforestry innovations, and more specifically
the adoption of high value trees and the impact, if any this has had on the farmers. This
would be achieved through determination of the usage of the taught agroforestry innovation;
the economic returns of the innovation and a comparison with other on-farm enterprises; an
assessment of the cost of training one farmer to the level of being a farmer-trainer;
determination of factors affecting the performance of farmer-trainers; the average conversion
of fanner-followers by farmer-trainers; farmers assessment of the approach; calculation of
the cost benefit ratio and Net Present Value of the farmer-trainer approach; and exploration
of the policy implication of the study.
A multistage purposive sampling procedure with stratified random selection was used to
select farmers for the survey in the study areas. In the study, primary and secondary data
were collected where primary data consisted mainly of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA),
group discussions and interviews, observations and empirical field measurements. Four sites
were selected for the study and these were Embu, Kisumu, Migori and Keiyo districts.
The results thus attained show that the Fanner-trainer extension approach is a viable concept
of dissemination and results are generated within a Sh0l1 time. The study shows Embu
district has the highest establishment of improved mangoes. This was the crop used for
economic evaluation given that it was adopted in all the study sites. In the economic
evaluation the study showed a positive retum to investment of nine years given a discount
rate of 18%. The study also illustrates factors that influence the performance of the farmers
in the approach, whereby availability of a tree nursery, location of the study sites, gender,
and farm size, were found to be of great significance to the performance of the farmer-trainer.
ln comparison to other farm enterprises, the study shows an increasing role of tree
crops within the farming system. The study also explores policy implications of the farmer-trainer
approach especially in research, extension, marketing and credit provision.
Description
Department of Environmental Science, 150p. 2001