Extension service providers’ perception towards demand driven system of agricultural extension service delivery. case study of siaya and kilifi counties in Kenya

The objective of present study was to assess the perception of extension service providers’ towards demand driven extension approach that was implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture under the auspices of National Agricultural and Livestock Extension Programme guided by National Agricultural Extension Policy. The study used Ex-post facto survey design. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study area and the sample. One set of questionnaire was used to collect data from extension service providers. Data were analysed using t-test and descriptive statistics with the help of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings revealed that after the implementation of NAEP reforms, there was observation of insignificant change in perceptions among extension service providers towards pluralistic and demand driven extension approach. The insignificant change in extension service providers’ perceptions towards agricultural extension services delivery system may have been due to weak collaboration caused by bureaucratic procedures and financial constraint of the NALEP-GOK and NALEP-Sida who were the main funding agencies of the Pluralistic and Demand Driven approach. The insignificant change in perceptions may also have been because of the difficulty faced by agricultural extension officers in promoting agricultural technology packages without the farmers making an effort to demand for them due to inability or inadequate knowledge of the appropriate time to seek for the services. The paper recommends that the different agricultural extension organizations including the government extension to strengthen collaboration among extension service providers by improving their financial commitment. The Ministry of Agriculture should also develop a policy that will endeavour to enhance farmers’ knowledge acquisition through participatory training, field demonstration and experimentation. This will enhance their ability to value the importance of demanding for services from the different extension advisory organization at an appropriate time. The empowerment of the farmers will lead to improved demand for extension services resulting in maximum engagement of extension service providers, consequently change in perception. The significant change in perception will enhance interaction among extension service providers and the farmers and ultimately increased agricultural production for food security and increased income.