Demand for Agricultural Extension Services Among Small-Scale Maize Farmers: Micro-Level Evidence from Kenya

• Published in: The journal of agricultural education and extension Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 177 - 192
• Main Authors: Gido, Eric O., Sibiko, Kenneth W., Ayuya, Oscar I., Mwangi, Joseph K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 15.03.2015; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Age Differences; Agricultural education; Agricultural extension work; Agricultural Occupations; Demand; Educational Attainment; Evidence; Experience; Extension Agents; Extension services; Farmers; Focus Groups; Food; Foreign Countries; Group Membership; Income; Interviews; Kenya; Maize; Predictor Variables; Questionnaires; Regression (Statistics); Rural Extension; Small-scale farmers; Socioeconomic Background; Statistical Analysis; Studies; Zero inflated negative binomial; Kenya
• ISSN: 1389-224X; 1750-8622
• DOI: 10.1080/1389224X.2013.872045

Purpose: The objective of the study was to determine the level and determinants of demand for extension services among small-scale maize farmers in Kenya. Design/methodology/approach: Based on an exploratory research design, primary data were collected from a sample of 352 households through face-to-face interviews. Focus group discussions were used to collect contextual data. The sample comprised of organic and conventional small-scale maize farmers in Bungoma County, Kenya. In data analyses, descriptive statistics and a zero inflated negative binomial regression were employed. Findings: Results indicate that organic farmers had a mean of three contacts with extension providers compared to conventional farmers who had a mean of one contact during the year. Further, age of the household head, education level, farming experience, amount of off-farm income and credit received, group membership, land tenure and distance to the nearest extension service provider significantly influence the demand for extension services. Practical implications: The major policy implication from the findings is that; whether farmers are organic or conventional, extension agents should customize their services according to their clients' socio-economic characteristics in order to improve demand for agricultural extension services. Originality/value: The study contributes to knowledge by applying the count data models in modeling the determinants of demand for extension services at a micro-level.