Aquaculture extension service in Kenya: Farmers and extension officers perspectives

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to examine the aquaculture extension service in Kenya. Primary data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 292 randomly selected fish farmers and 56 extension officers in different counties in Kenya. Descriptive statistics mainly mean and frequencies were computed to determine key characteristics of farmers and extension officers. Inferential statistics were done using the Chi-Square test of goodness of fit at a significant level of P ≤ 0.05. Analyses were done using (Stata 13) and (SPSS version 23). The results demonstrated that youth fish farmers' contribution to the aquaculture sector is relatively low (26%) and extension service is perceived as helpful to fish farmers, though practices and outcomes vary among farmers. The education level of the farmers indicated that farmer literacy level is high and can positively affect adoption of new technologies. The results further showed that the training and visit extension model continues to dominate the sector. In addition, extension officers ranked poorly the possession of appropriate extension and training materials. It can be concluded that the challenges that extension officers face are not new. Thus, changes in government led aquaculture extension service will be ineffective unless they are attached to substantial changes in financing and relevant capacity building initiatives.