QUALITY OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURAL ADVICE OFFERED BY PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTORS EXTENSIONISTS IN MBEERE NORTH SUB-COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

This research adds to 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 the quality of CSA advice. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, the descriptive correlational study gathered data from a systematic sample of 109 farmers. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and ANOVA tests. There was a moderate positive correlation between extension effectiveness and adoption of CSA, r = 0.37, p = < 0.01. There were significant differences between public, private, and both sectors in relation to the quality of information disseminated, F (2) = 12.98, p = < 0.01.The quality of private sector’s advice (36.24 ± 10.94) was significantly lower than that of public sector (45.27 ± 6.92, p = 0.01) and both sectors (47.98 ± 10.07, p = < 0.01). The quality of CSA advice was generally fair, even though collaborative effort between public and private would yield better quality advice. Heightened dissemination of CSA practices would improve the adoption of the practices among farmers. There is need to design and implement intricate CSA programs involving both sectors of extension to improve the adoption levels of the practices in Mbeere North.