Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of A Holistic Extension Programme: Case Study of Farm Attachment Programme in Kenya

Barasa Michael Kisiangani ,Oscar Ingasia Ayuya ,Nancy W Mungai

doi:10.7176/jep/10-30-12

Abstract

This paper examines the perceptions of farmers towards a student-farmer centered extension arrangement called the Farm Attachment Programme (FAP). Despite the pertinence of Agriculture to the economy, its potential has not been realized. To address this shortfall, research and training institutions have designed and generated knowledge and technologies. However, the innovations generated have hardly reached the end users. In response, Egerton University established Farm Attachment Programme (FAP) to innovatively engage small-scale farmers in 2014. As a result, the study sought to determine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOTs) of the farm attachment program. A census survey of 100 farmers that had been engaged in FAP in Nakuru and Baringo Counties in Kenya was conducted using semi - structured questionnaires. The study employed a Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA) model to examine how the farmers felt about the programme in terms of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. From the SWOT analysis, higher factor loadings of 0.763 on Factor 2 indicated that increased technology awareness and access among farmers was the main strength of FAP while 0.686 on Factor 1 indicated that increase in farmer linkage was the main opportunity. On the other hand, loadings of 0.830 and 0.760 on factor 3 and 4 indicated that short attachment duration and high costs of student accommodation were the main weakness and threat of FAP respectively. The study recommends for a review of the attachment duration to at least twelve or more weeks to ensure successful implementation of the interventions introduced by the students. Based on the strengths and opportunities presented by the FAP, the study further recommends that the programme should be expanded to other counties. Keywords : Farm attachment programme: Agricultural productivity: SWOT analysis: Confirmatory Factor Analysis. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-30-12 Publication date :October 31 st 2019

Highlights

1.0 Introduction The economic development in Kenya heavily depends on agriculture which accounts for 75%of the labour force, approximately 45% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and over 60% of the total exports (KNBS, 2018)
4.0 Conclusions and Policy implications The response of students to farm challenges was important in determining how the farmers perceived the impact of Farm Attachment Programme (FAP) on their farming activities and agricultural productivity in general
The programme was limited by short attachment duration

Summary

Introduction

Introduction The economic development inKenya heavily depends on agriculture which accounts for 75%of the labour force, approximately 45% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and over 60% of the total exports (KNBS, 2018). Despite all the efforts being implemented, the sector has hardly realized the set targets. This has to a great extent been linked to low awareness and use of improved agricultural technologies, limited scope for expanding farm lands, and poorly coordinated multi-sectoral approach to rural development (Ragasa et al, 2014). In this light, there is an urgent need to implement initiatives that aim at buttressing farmers in addressing their challenges to increase agricultural productivity. One of the major initiatives to achieve this is through provision of well-coordinated agricultural advisory services to small-scale farmers

Methods

Results

Conclusion