Comparative efficacies of farmers-led and extension-led farmer field schools in the dissemination of push-pull technology among smallholder farmers of Western Kenya

Abstract

Striga weed combined with stemborer can reduce maize yields up to 100% thus affecting food security. The Intemational Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and other partners have developed an effective management strategy known as ‘Push-Pull’ Technology (PPT) for the control of stemborer pests and S_tr_iga spp. weed. Literature on Farmer Field School (FFS) approach and PPT shows that the FFS approach has had varying successes in disseminating and enhancing many agricultural technologies. To draw on the strengths of the approach, ICIPE and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) introduced the use of FFS in the dissemination of PPT. Some FFS were led and managed by farmers (F-FFS) and others by extension staff (E-FFS). The comparative efficacy of F- FFS and E-FFS approaches had however not been investigated. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify the most efficacious FFS approach in disseminating the PPT. The study independent variable was type of FPS approach, while dependent variables were the learning outcomes which included farmer’s knowledge on PPT, adoption, yields and costs. A cross-sectional survey design was used, in which a population of 211 PPT FFS famiers from Busia and Bungoma South districts were involved. Data was collected using three researcher administered structured questionnaires which had questions on individual farmer characteristics, knowledge and adoption test, and FFS group characteristics. The instrument was validated by a team of experts. Reliability was determined by pilot testing with 40 farmers and the reliability coefficient was estimated using Cronbach’s alpha. A reliability coefficient above 0.75 was achieved. Data analyses for both descriptive and inferential statistics were done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) soflware. Hypotheses were tested using t-test and Man Whitney U test at 5% level of significance. The FFS approaches were ranked according to their score on the learning outcomes. Both F-FFS and E~FFS approaches proved efficacious in PPT dissemination. However, participation in F-FFS was more efficacious than participation in E-FFS in tenns of increased knowledge and farm productivity whereas E- FFS was more efficacious in the adoption and diffusion of PPT. These study results will be availed to relevant stakeholders for improving farmer leaming outcomes of PPT and living standards of smallholder farmers.