Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

International Journal of Agronomy and Agricultural Research (IJAAR)

ISSN: 2223-7054 (Print) 2225-3610 (Online)
http://www.innspub.net
Vol. 25, No. 1, p. 9-18, 2024
RESEARCH PAPER OPEN ACCESS

Assessment of the contribution of agricultural extension

services on sorghum production for improved food security
among smallholder farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County,
Homa Bay County, Kenya
Awiti Abel*, Gor Obel, Walter Akuno

School of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga

University of Science and Technology, Bondo, Kenya

Article published on July 08, 2024

Key words: Sorghum, Food security, Smallholder farmers, Kenya

Abstract

Agricultural extension services play a major role in improving production capacity more so in food crops. This
study aimed at assessing the contribution of agricultural extension services on sorghum production for
improved food security among smallholder farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County of Homa Bay County.
Specifically, the study focused on: contribution of both private public extension services and influence of credit
facilities on sorghum production for improved food security among the smallholder farmers in the study area.
A descriptive research design was used. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Both
descriptive and inferential statistics were reported. Findings revealed that sorghum farming was dominated by
the youth at 62% because majority of this age set are unemployed and therefore have resorted to farming as
source of livelihood, 27% aged 36-55 years with only 11% being above 55 years. Binary logistic regression
showed that both private and public extension services play a significant role on sorghum production for
improved food security (t=2.036, p=0.043 and t=6.441, p=0.000 respectively). Their influence is
distinguished by efficiency in service delivery. Availability of credit facility equally plays a significant role on
sorghum production for improved food security (t=2.868, p=0.004). Food security in the study area was
measured in terms of sorghum yield; those with low yield were considered to be food insecure. It is therefore
recommended that the private and public extensions services such as distribution of farm inputs and training
be scaled up so as to improve sorghum production. Farmers should also be able to access credit facilities such
as loans without any limitation. The findings of this study will be useful to organizations and agencies already
operating in the study area to identify their weaknesses and strength in service delivery.
* Corresponding Author: Awiti Abel  [email protected]

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

Introduction population of 38.5 million people was poor and some

An agricultural extension service is application of 7.5 million people lived in extreme poverty while over
farm practices that would improve farmer’s living 10 million people suffered from chronic food
standard such as food security. 85 percent of world insecurity. It was also noted that most communities
populations depend on rain fed agriculture for their that lived in arid and semi-arid region are greatly
livelihood (Chege et al., 2018). Extension services exposed to food insecurity due to recurring drought
create a link between farmers and research and that interferes with crop and livestock productivity
information through education. Through this (Fitzgibbon, 2012).
platform, various ways of boosting agricultural
productivity are incorporated with research with the According to comprehensive food security and
aim of improving farmers’ standard of living. vulnerability report by World Food Programme
(WFP, 2016), Agriculture is the mainstay of the
Food demand is projected to rise between 59% to Kenyan economy, contributing 30 percent to GDP,
98% by 2050 (Elferink and Schierhorn, 2016), with but Kenya is a food deficit country, more particularly
the largest increases anticipated in sub-Sahara Homa Bay county where Farmers find it hard to
Africa, South Asia and East Asia, however there is access credit facilities needed to buy inputs such as
no surety of this anticipation due to various factors fertilizers, pesticides and improved seed variety due
such as climate, social and political factors. The to the conditions laid out to access them (WFP, 2016).
number of undernourished individuals worldwide This impact has forced majority of farmers to
is estimated to be 850 million, and it has barely cultivate crops on small pieces of land measuring less
changed between 1990–1992. Hunger hotspots, than 0.05 acres, consequently resulting into low crop
which are characterized by a high frequency and yield has thus affecting food security and the economy
pervasiveness of food insecurity, particularly of the study area.
during extended periods of crisis, are of particular
concern (Robertson et al., 2019). In response to issues affecting food security in Kenya,
the government has managed to commit only 4.5 %
African small holder farmers are categorized on the annual budget allocation to the ministry of
on the basis of the agro ecological zones in which they agriculture. The amount that is considered far much
operate the type and composition of their farm below what the ministry requires in its operations
portfolios and landholding and on the basis of annual including financing agricultural extension services. To
revenue they generate from farming activities (World overcome this challenge, the government of Kenya
Bank; CIAT, 2015). In areas of high population has closely been sourcing support from international
densities, smallholder farmers usually cultivate less organizations such as World Bank and FAO to
than one hectare of land, which may increase up to 10 improve agricultural food production (FAO, 2014). In
hectares or more sparsely populated areas. response, the organizations have responded in
various ways including the introduction of different
On the basis of farm revenue, smallholder farmers types of agricultural extension services such as
range from those producing crops only for family Training and visits (T&V) approach that was
consumption to those who earn income from their sponsored by World Bank (WFP, 2015). The system
farming enterprise. Food insecurity has been noted to has its own short comings especially in Kenya and
be the major cause of poverty in the world more Nigeria (Musa et al., 2013), the system came under
particularly African states. The overall poverty serious criticism both in Kenya and Nigeria because
situation in Kenya was approximately 56% of the of top-down approach, inefficiency, ineffective and
population estimated at 30 million people (Mwadalu not financially sustainable.it was regarded as not
and Mwangi, 2013). In 2011, the government of serving the farmers interest instead it was a profit-
Kenya reported that about half of her estimated oriented system.

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

The other model used in Kenya is the Farmer Field Household Budget Survey (KIHBS) (KNBS, 2016).
School (FFS) sponsored by Food and Agricultural The poverty level in the region is estimated to be at
Organization. This approach was adopted following 52.9 per cent, about 75% of its population is still
its success in training Asian farmers on integrated facing food insecurity and for that matter, sorghum
pest management. The approach was first introduced being a hardy crop characterized by drought
in 1995 by the Food and Agricultural Organization resistance, pest and disease resistance traits is
(FAO) special programme for food security. Through considered to be a best option of improving food
observation and learning–by-doing, farmers are able security in this region. The study therefore examined
to internalize the advantages of improved technology the assessment of the contribution of agricultural
and adopt new practices in their own fields extension services on sorghum production for
(Waddington et al., 2014). Davis et al. (2012) improved food security among the small-scale holder
evaluates the effectiveness of Agricultural extension farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County of Homa
services by looking at the impact of scaling up of Bay County.
farmers field school in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Using estimates, Waddington concludes that Farmer Materials and methods
Field school extension approach improve farmer’s Data collection
knowledge and adoption of beneficial practices and Descriptive research design was used in the study to
reduce overuse of farm inputs such as pesticides. This give the characteristic of population under the study,
model has since been adopted by various county whether they are food secure or insecure. Semi-
governments in Kenya and NGO’s. In Rachuonyo structured questionnaires were administered to
North Sub-County area, Homa Bay County, Extension obtain data on the contribution of both public and
services are offered by the county government and private extension service provider and the influence
Private organizations such as NGO’s including One of credit facilities on sorghum production for
Acre fund, Homa Hills community development, improved food security among smallholder farmers in
religious organizations such as Catholic relief food Rachuonyo North Sub-County. Additionally, the
organization, Parastatals such as Kenya Agricultural study assessed the contribution of agricultural
Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO) and extension services on sorghum production for
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). improved food security among the smallholder
Most of the institutions provide FFS extension model, farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County. The
where farmers come together to form a group, they’re
questionnaire was administered by relevant
taught on various issues affecting agriculture. The
enumerators who understood what data collection
extension officers are facilitators and guide farmers
entails. The data obtained was used to answer the
throughout the discussion (Fabregas et al., 2017).
objectives that this study intended to achieve.

In 2015, the Kenyan government embraced a slogan

The study targeted smallholder sorghum farmers in
called “NJAA MARUFUKU KENYA”, whose main
Rachuonyo North Sub-County of Homa Bay County
intention was to improve food security among its
who are estimated to be around 3350. The farmers
population, this plan was developed in the line with
are the primary beneficiaries of the extension services
millennium development goal (MDG), whose one of
and are the source of information regarding food
the goals was to reduce hunger and poverty in Kenya
security status. Therefore, they become an important
by 2015.
element in the study. The agricultural extension
Rachuonyo North Sub-County is estimated to be officers create a link between the farmer and the
having a majority of its population living below research and the source of information to farmers on
poverty level According to Kenya Integrated and how to improve food productivity.

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

The proportionate sample size was calculated using ∑  − 


 =
the following formula as suggested by (Charan and 

Biswas, 2013). Where;

  – is the Chi-square statistics tested at 95%
Sample size = {Z1-α⁄₂2p (1-p)}/d2 confidence level
Z1-α⁄22=is standard normal variant (at 95% confidence  – The observed values (frequencies) sampled from
level). As in majority of the studies p values are i = 1, …, n
considered significant below 0.05 hence 1.96 is used  – The expected values (frequencies)
in formula.
P=Expected proportion of population of farmers from Moreover, a multivariate logistic regression was fitted
previous study exposed to extension services. to assess the effect of public and private extension
d=Absolute error or precision. services and access to credit on sorghum yield for
{1.962 ×0.25 (1-0.25)}/0.052=288 household food security. The model was picked based
on the nature of the response (food secure/insecure).
Proportionate sample of 288 sorghum farmers from The model specification was as follows:
Rachuonyo North were used. Purposive sampling was  = exp +   +   + ⋯ +   + 
employed to pick sorghum farmers in the study Where;
because it avoids bias and ensures that there is equal Y – is the response variable, sorghum yield
representation. A stratified random sampling  – is the intercept
technique categorized smallholder farmers into  – The estimates of the regression parameters
different subgroups or strata based on their acreage (slopes) for i = 1, …, n
and administrative area. Then subjects were selected  – are the independent variables (access to credit,
randomly and proportionately. Purposive sampling public extension services, private extension services)
was used to select the other stakeholders, including
for i = 1, …, n.
administrators, farmers' representatives, and officers
from the Sub-County agricultural offices, NGOs, and
Results
officers from the National Government.
Descriptive statistics
Socio-demographic characteristics
Data analysis
Kibiri Ward represented 23% of the respondents,
The interviewed farmers were first described and put
North and West ward had 43.6% and 33.4%
into two groups viz., food secure or food insecure
representative respectively. Females who participated
based on their sorghum yield. This was later used as
in this study were 55.4%, whereas the male gender
the response variable for regression analysis.
was 44.6%. Majority of the participants were married
Descriptive statistic such as frequencies, percentages,
at 49.8%, 37.3% being single, the widowed at 9.4%,
means and standard deviations and graphics were
and the divorced and separated at 1.4% and 2.1%,
used to report the analysis and visualization of the
respectively. Most of the respondents were within the
questionnaire data based on whether one practiced or
18-35 age bracket, 27.2% were between 36 to 55years
not. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25
and 11.1% were above 56 years old. The sampled
statistical software. All the tests were done at 95%
participants were still young and energetic. Nearly
confidence level.
half of the participants had no formal education,

Furthermore, Chi-square statistics was used to test 17.8% had a primary certificate, 8.7% had a secondary

for association between those who grew sorghum and credential, and 3.8% had a college certificate, 8% had
the socio-demographic variables such as age, location, a diploma, 10.8 a degree, and 2.8% had a
gender, education level and occupation. The Chi- postgraduate. Regarding occupation, 52.3% cited
square is given by the formula. unemployed, 22.3% were self-employed, 12.2% were

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

employed, and students were 10.8%, whereas 2.4% Table 4. Age distribution among the respondents
had retired. Tables (1-6) show data of different socio Age group Frequency N (%)
demographic characteristics in the study area. 18-35 years 177(61.7)
36-55 years 78 (27.2)
56 years and above 32 (11.1)
Table 1. Number of respondents in each ward
Ward Frequency N (%) Table 5. Level of education of the respondents
Kibiri 66 (23.0)
North 125 (43.6) Level Frequency N (%)
West 96 (33.4) No formal education 138 (48.1)
Primary 51 (17.8)
Secondary 25 (8.7)
Table 2. Gender distribution among the respondents Certificate 11 (3.8)
Gender Frequency N (%) Diploma 23 (8.0)
Female 159 (55.4) Degree 31 (10.8)
Male 128 (44.6) Postgraduate 8 (2.8)

Table 3. Marital status of the respondents Table 6. Occupation among the respondents
Status Frequency N (%) Status Frequency N (%)
Single 107 (37.3) Student 31(10.8)
Married 143 (49.8) Employed 35(12.2)
Widowed 27 (9.4) Self–employed 64(22.3)
Divorced 4 (1.4) Unemployed 150(52.3)
Separated 6 (2.1) Retired 7(2.4)

Table 7. Summary regression coefficients

Variables Unstandardized coefficients Standardized coefficients t Sig.
B0 Std. Error Beta
(Constant) 1.721 .200 8.586 0.000*
private extension .072 .036 .112 2.036 0.043*
public extension .244 .038 .357 6.441 0.000*
Credit facility availability .241 .084 .154 2.868 0.004*
a. Dependent Variable: impact on sorghum production for improved food security

Effect of private extension, public extension and Discussion

credit facilities on sorghum Production for Improved Socio-demographic characteristics
Food security From the study, most of the participants were from
A binary logistic Regression analysis was conducted to north Karachuonyo ward, 125(43.6%), 96(33.4%) of
examine the impacts of both private and public the participants were from west Rachuonyo ward and
extension services and credit facilities (predictor the remaining 23 percent were from Kibiri. More than
variables) on sorghum production for improved food 50 percent of the participants were of the female
security (Response variable) (Table 7). All variables
gender. About half of the sorghum farmers were
held constant; it was found out that the predictor
married, 37.3 percent single and the rest were
variables significantly predicted response variables; a
widowed, divorced or separated. More than 60
unit increase in private extension services causes a
percent of the sorghum farmers were aged between
0.072unit positive impact on food security. A unit
18-35years, 27 percent aged 36-55 years, and 11.1
increase in public extension services causes a 0.244-
percent were above 56 years. Participants had various
unit improvement in sorghum production; all other
levels of study; around 51.9% of them had some
factors are constant. All other variables remained
formal education whereas 48.1% had no formal
constant; the availability of credit facilities has a
0.241units more sorghum production compared to education. Farming is a form of employment, 52.3%

zones without access to them. Private extension stated that they were unemployed, 22.3% employed

services, public extension services, and credit facilities themselves, 12.2% were employed, and student

significantly impact sorghum production, p<0.05. farmers were 10.8% and the retired being 2.4%.

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

Impact of private extension on improved food association with the location as seen from the chi-
security square test, p<0.001. West Karachuonyo ward was
Private extension services are among the services that observed to have more credit facilities compared to
are valued most compared to the public extension. other wards. This may be attributed to factors such as
The private sector provides farmers with farm inputs good infrastructure and high population densities.
such as seeds, fertilizers and other farm products,
advisory services regarding sorghum routine Impact of public extension services
management practices as well as linking farmers to Public sector extension services, despite various
the market and researching on advanced technology challenges posed by private extension have managed
farming to better farmers welfare. Sustainable food to be of benefit to the farmers in west Karachuonyo.
security is mostly influenced by introduction of Over 80% of the respondents agree that public
modern technology by private extension, more than extension sector distribution of farm inputs, training
86% of the participants agree with the statement. farmers and introducing new farm technology has an
More than 80% of the participants believe that impact on sorghum production for improved food
private training of farmers tends to lead to higher production. Public extension training is offered
production hence improving food security. Private through farmers field school or through visitation and
extensions provide farmers with farm inputs at training of farmers. However, the mode of training is
subsidized costs as cited by 80.5% of the respondents. associated with ward where the farmer comes from
according to the chi square test performed, p<0.001.
Contribution of credit facilities on sorghum
productivity Contribution of private and public extension and
Credit organizations have a great impact on credit facility availability on sorghum production
smallholder farmers since most of them are not able From the findings, private extension, public extension
to fund their projects. However, credit organizations and credit facilities have a significant positive impact
have got their own limitations and drawbacks (Mutua on sorghum production for improved food security.
and Oyugi, 2016). Over 90% of the farmers depend on The impact of public extension services followed by
credit facilities for financing to access farm inputs credit facility and finally private extension. Public
such as fertilizers and seeds whereas 88% state that extension services are mostly embraced in north
they have limited access to credit facilities due to Karachuonyo than private extension services since it
various reasons. is the long serving knowledge disseminator and
promotes adoption of modern technologies (Salami et
The limitations to credit facilities cited by over 81% of al., 2010).
the farmers are lack of security to act as bank
collateral to the facility, high repayment rates and Conclusion
unavailability of credit institutions within the region. Services offered by private extension agencies are
(Mutua and Oyugi, 2016) state that interest rates have more valued than services offered by public agencies
increased hence lower income investors such as in the study area because of their efficiency.in
sorghum farmers are restricted hence cannot finance addition, provision of farm inputs on credit basis and
high return projects. The return from the project can training of farmers plays a significant role in
also be equal to the interest charged by the banks improving food security among smallholder sorghum
hence unsuitable for improved sustainability. This farmers in the study area.
study also supports (Okpara, 2014) that less than 20%
of Africans have access to credit facilities due to poor Recommendation(s)
transport and infrastructure as well as low population Both the county and national government should
densities. Credit facilities however have a significant ensure that farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County

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 Int. J. Agron. Agri. R.

are provided with affordable agricultural extension Chege JM, Lemba J, Semenye PP. 2018.
services in order to improve food production. Influence of land tenure on food security status
Especially those who have never been exposed to it, in among smallholder farmers in Kilifi South Sub-
addition, the county government of Homa Bay and County, Kenya.
financial institutions in the area should work closely
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farmers are able to access credit facilities without Swanson B. 2015. Evaluating agricultural extension
facing any hindrances such as security requirement. and advisory services through a governance lens.
Journal of International Agricultural and Extension
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