<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><xml><records><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Stephen  Wambugu Maina</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Gowland-Mwangi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dave   Boselie</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">COST AND BENEFITS OF RUNNING A TEA-BASED FARMER FIELD SCHOOL IN KENYA</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">farmer field schools</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">good agricultural practices</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Kenya Tea Development Agency</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2012</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">November/2012</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1413729444.pdf</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">47</style></volume><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA), through its extension workers, has been educating tea producers on good agricultural practices using Farmer Field Schools (FFS). Information on training cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS in Kenya were not readily available. Such information would enable tea stakeholders to develop a strategy for up-scaling FFS. This study sought to determine and describe the cost and benefits of running a tea-based FFS among small-scale farmers in the Rift Valley. The study used a Cross-Sectional research design to collect data from 514 small-scale tea growers drawn randomly from KTDA factories. A questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.92α was used after validation by extension experts. Face-to-Face interviews and a stakeholders’ workshop were used for triangulation purposes. Data were analyzed qualitatively and reported using descriptive statistics. The results indicated that training a farmer in a tea-based FFS in a year costs Ksh 6,076/= (US$71). The training gave farmers skills to improve their tea husbandry, yields, level of empowerment and leadership skills. The researchers concluded that training tea farmers in FFSs was cheap, sustainable and effective in changing their behavior. Stakeholders in the tea-value chain should increase funding and use of FFS in training tea farmers. 
 
</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">165-177</style></section></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Stephen  Wambugu Maina</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Gowland-Mwangi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Dave   Boselie</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Davies   Onduru</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Betty   Chelang’at Buses</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">UP-SCALING FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS AND RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFICATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER TEA PRODUCERS IN KENYA: OPTIONS, OPPORTUNITIES AND EMERGING LESSONS</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">emerging lessons</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">farmer field schools</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">good agricultural practices</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2012</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">June/2012</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">http://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1410007713.pdf</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">43</style></volume><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">The Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) has been encouraging small-scale tea (Camellia sinensis) producers through Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to adopt good agricultural practices since 2006. The up-scaling of FFS and Rainforest Alliance (RA) certification to 560,000 tea producers remains a big challenge. Hence the need to learn about options, opportunities and emerging lessons for up-scaling FFS and RA certification among smallholder tea producers in Kenya. This study sought to improve tea stakeholders’ understanding on how successful innovations such as FFSs and RA certification can be up-scaled to more stakeholders and how to produce tea sustainably. It also sought to describe the options, opportunities and emerging lessons related to up-scaling. The study used a Cross-Sectional design to collect data from a two-stage random sample of 514 small-scale tea growers drawn from KTDA factories. A semi-structured questionnaire validated by extension experts, whose 0.92α reliability was above the 0.70 acceptable was used to collect data. Face-to-Face interviews, document analysis, record reviews, site visits, observations, living the system and a stakeholders’ workshop were carried out to ensure triangulation. Data were analyzed using Chi-square at 0.05α set a priori. The results indicated that maintaining the current system with some improvements was the best option for up-scaling FFS and RA certification. The researchers concluded that FFSs and RA certification can be up-scaled by increasing resources, improving communication, training and educating non-FFS members using different methods. They showed that up-scaling training for certification and FFS come with a need for additional investments and eventually will alter KTDA’s cost and revenue model of the sustainable tea production. To sustain this system, the true costs and benefits of sustainable tea are incorporated in the KTDA business model, which implies that donors strategically move from subsidizing costs to strategic investments in human resource development, capacity building and extension technologies.</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">141-158</style></section></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Stephen  Wambugu Maina</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Gowland-Mwangi</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AGRO-DEALERS IN ENHANCING DISSEMINATION AND ADOPTION OF THE “PUSH PULL” TECHNOLOGY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN WESTERN KENYA</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">agro-dealers</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">push-pull technology</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Western Kenya</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2011</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">August/2011</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">https://oaji.net/articles/2014/457-1406576579.pdf</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">33</style></volume><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Despite “Push pull” technology’s (PPT) effectiveness in increasing maize yields by controlling Stem borer and striga weeds, its full benefits are yet to be realized. PPT involves planting Napier grass around maize intercropped with Desmodium. Agro-dealers are often used to spread PPT but knowledge of its effectiveness was inadequate. This study sought to provide the missing information using a cross-sectional research design to collect data from a proportional stratified random sample of 102 agro-dealers in Western Kenya. A valid, closed-ended questionnaire whose 0.85α reliability was above the 0.70 acceptable was used. Data were analysed using Chi-square at 0.05α set a priori. Results: Agro-dealers’ effectiveness in communicating PPT was independent of their knowledge of it, Desmodium plant or seriousness of the striga problem but depended on frequency at which farmers sought advice from them; gender, education and years in business did not affect agro-dealers’ effectiveness; and those visited most by farmers were more effective in disseminating PPT. Conclusions: Agro-dealers are appropriate for educating males and females and spreading PPT through them enhances adoption. Recommendations: Extension providers should train and involve agro-dealers in disseminating PPT and selling certified seeds.</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">118-132</style></section></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Gowland-Mwangi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Agnes Oywaya  Nkurumwa</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Stephen  Wambugu Maina</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">BUILDING JUA-KALI OPERATORS’ CAPACITY IN SOFT SKILLS FOR FASTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">economic development</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">soft skills</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2010</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">November/2010</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">http://journals.indexcopernicus.com/abstract.php?icid=924381</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">25</style></volume><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Kenya’s Jua-Kali sector offers an alternative to formal employment. Though one needs technical and soft skills to work effectively, the latter are critical for successful entrepreneurship and unless Jua-Kali operators are trained in soft skills, they cannot function effectively. A trainer requires knowledge of what they need, lack and extent of deficiency. A cross-sectional survey design involving 230 randomly selected operators was used to provide this information. Extension experts ascertained the questionnaire’s content validity whose reliability was 0.93α at 0.05 confidence level. The operators were 15-71years old with 69% married, 65% male, and 99% formally trained. Soft skills’ mean acquisition was 55% at primary, 61% at secondary and 71% at tertiary level and was independent of gender; &gt;90% of the operators lacked but required all 18 soft skills. Males dominated jobs requiring higher capital and more physical strength while females dominated jobs requiring lower capital and less physical strength and also the food sector; The sector accommodated people of all ages, majority being self-employed; on-the-job training was inadequate; and teaching soft skills within curricula was the best training modality. The researchers recommended mainstreaming formal provision of soft skills; training using the best modality and encouraging more people to join the sector.</style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">43-57</style></section></record><record><source-app name="Biblio" version="7.x">Drupal-Biblio</source-app><ref-type>17</ref-type><contributors><authors><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Gowland-Mwangi</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">John  Odiaga Oloo</style></author><author><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Stephen  Wambugu Maina</style></author></authors></contributors><titles><title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">THE EFFECTIVENESS OF FARMER FIELD SCHOOLS’ EXTENSION METHODOLOGY IN CONSERVING SOIL AND WATER USING CONTOUR PLOUGHING, UNPLOUGHED STRIPS AND FARM YARD MANURE</style></title><secondary-title><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Problems of Education in the 21st Century</style></secondary-title></titles><keywords><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">conservation of resources</style></keyword><keyword><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">farmer field schools</style></keyword></keywords><dates><year><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">2010</style></year><pub-dates><date><style  face="normal" font="default" size="100%">November/2010</style></date></pub-dates></dates><urls><web-urls><url><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">https://journals.indexcopernicus.com/search/article?articleId=2594298</style></url></web-urls></urls><volume><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">26</style></volume><language><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">eng</style></language><abstract><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Land degradation, characterized by bare ground, wanton destruction of vegetation and poor farming practices, still threatens food production in Africa where poverty and insufficient resources for income generation impacts negatively on the population. The Farmer Field Schools’ (FFS) Extension and Non-Farmer Field Schools’ (NFFS) Extension Methodologies have been used to teach farmers how to minimize the problem in both Bondo and Rarieda districts of Kenysa through soil and water conservation. However, it is not yet clear whether FFS are more effective than NFFS in enhancing adoption of Contour Farming, Un-ploughed Strips and Farm Yard Manure Application. This study sought answers to this question using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 150 FFS-trained and 150 NFFS-trained farmers randomly selected from both districts. Ten extension experts ascertained the questionnaire’s content validity whose reliability was 0.85α at 0.05 confidence level. A t-test was used to determine the presence of significant differences between mean scores of FFS-trained and NFFS-trained farmers in adopting the three conservation techniques. The FFS-trained farmers’ adoption rate of the three conservation technologies was significantly higher than that of the NFFS-trained farmers. The FFS extension methodology was more effective than the NFFS extension methodologies. Extension providers should consider using the FFS extension methodology more in their daily extension work because it is interactive and more effective than the NFFS. </style></abstract><work-type><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">Original article</style></work-type><section><style face="normal" font="default" size="100%">52-65</style></section></record></records></xml>