Browsing by Author "Gikunda, R."

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Culture as a Predictor of Effective Adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture in Mbeere North, Kenya
    (agdevresearch.org, 2022) Gikunda, R.; Lawver, D.; Magogo, J.
    The research advances the existing extension education knowledge by illustrating the relationship between culture and adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA). Using a sample of 127, the study adopted a descriptive correlational design to gather data that addressed the hypotheses. The sample was selected randomly through systematic sampling procedures covering all parts of the sub-county. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to gather data. Independent samples t-test and multiple regression analysis were applied in data analysis. The results indicated that farmers who received climate-smart information compared to farmers not receiving the information demonstrated significantly higher CSA practices adoption levels. A combination of cultural elements significantly predicted the adoption of climate-smart practices. The moderate effective adoption rates witnessed may have been contributed by limited access to extension services and cultural barriers. Among the cultural elements inability of extension agents to communicate in the local language was found to be the main inhibitor to effective dissemination and subsequent adoption. Hence, extension agents conversant with local language should be recruited to break the communication barrier to improve the diffusion of CSA practices. The county extension agents should be encouraged to use amix of mass media extension education methods so as to expand the coverage.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Quality of Climate-Smart Agricultural Advice Offered by Private and Public Sectors Extensionists in Mbeere North Sub-County, Kenya
    (agdevresearch.org, 2022) Gikunda, R.; Jepkurui, M.; Kiptoo, S.; Baker, M.
    This research adds to the knowledge of extension education by revealing the quality of climate-smart agricultural (CSA) advice offered by private and public extension sectors. The study was aimed at addressing the paucity of empirical data that exists relating to the quality of CSA advice. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the descriptive and correlational study gathered data from a systematic sample of 115 farmers. There was a moderate positive correlation between extension effectiveness and adoption of CSA. There were significant differences between public, private, and both sectors in relation to the quality of information disseminated. The quality of private sector’s advice was significantly lower than that of public sector and both sectors. There was no significant difference in quality of advice between public sector and both sectors. The quality of CSA advice was generally fair, however, heightened dissemination of CSA practices by both sectors of extension would yield better quality advice thus improve the adoption of the practices among farmers.