Concepts, Operationalization and impacts of the agricultural technology and information response initiative in Coastal Kenya: Lessons, based on realities, possibilities and potentials.

Abstract

Agricultural technology and information initiative is a national undertaking formed and implemented by the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) to catalyze the process of technology awareness, demand, diffusion and client responses. Key issues addressed are food security, poverty reduction and sustainable use of natural resources. The programme was managed by steering committees at national and regional levels and targeted farmer empowerment on a learning and information sharing principle through group approaches thereby maximizing on the multiplier effect of groups. Stakeholder awareness on the application for facilitation/funds procedures was the initial step towards the establishment of partnerships. In coastal Kenya the programme attracted over 119 applications in four years requesting for exposure to various agricultural technologies. Due to resource limitations particularly funds and low staff strength of the biophysical backstopping research scientists among others, only 24 applications/groups were funded against 29 technologies they requested for. The initiative enhanced direct contact to 627 farmers (410 women and 217 males). Lessons from the researcher-extension-farmer partnership included gender bias to the group approach and technologies, increased stakeholder collaboration, closer researcher-extension service contact, increased use of recommended farm inputs and increased farm yields of up to three times the yield before ATIRI intervention and creation of employment opportunities at farm level. A stakeholders survey done at the end of the first phase targeted widening of partnerships in the next phase in order to improve service delivery, food and non-farm output, household incomes and living standards. The programme targets more friendly strategies to stimulate even hired demands and sharing of knowledge and information in its second phase.