Human Resource Training and Development and Adoption of Solar Photovoltaics in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the influence of Human Resource training and development on the adoption of solar energy technology in Climate Smart Agriculture in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted a positivist philosophy and a descriptive correlational research design targeting the County's 240 executive, policy, legislative, and decision-making level staff as of December 2022. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire that was pilot-tested and refined before final data collection. Data collected was analyzed in terms of descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS version 28. Chi-Square test results confirmed a strong association between HR training and development and solar PV adoption {χ² (2546, N = 152) = 2739.667, p < .05}. Results revealed that HR training and development significantly predicted solar PV adoption, β = 1.739, t (152) = 19.548, p < .05, and stakeholder perceptions significantly moderated the relationship between HR training and development and solar PV adoption in the County. Thus, the study rejected the hypothesis that HR training and development did not significantly influence solar PV adoption. The study recommended that the county leadership allocate more financial resources and solar energy experts for training technicians and artisans.