How KeFAAS is Transforming Agricultural Extension in Kenya
- Kevan Lamm
- Sep 12, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 13
There has been a dramatic transformation in Kenya’s agricultural extension landscape in recent years. It has shifted from being under government control to a demand-driven approach that is managed by the private sector. There have been some important challenges that have come with this change. Specifically, the lack of a central coordination mechanism has proven to be a problem. In this blog post I'm excited to share findings from a study I conducted with a number of colleagues, specifically, the pivotal role played by the Kenyan Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (KeFAAS) in addressing these challenges and bolstering coordination for the benefit of farmers and the agricultural sector.
Challenges Faced: A few notable hurdles emerged along the road to promising changes in Kenyan extension:
Coordination Gap: Without a central body coordinating efforts, it was hard to connect with service providers and farmers in Kenya. This led to limited market access and overall reduced productivity.
Technology Diffusion: Small-scale farmers struggled to gain access to limited resources because agricultural innovations were not being spread effectively to remote areas.
Private Prioritization: As a result of privatization, an emphasis was placed on the regions that are more productive. Resource-poor farmers, therefore, were neglected and disparities in production were only expanded.
KeFAAS's Initiatives: KeFAAS proactively tackled these issues through strategic measures:
Effective Communication: Informative materials were developed that highlighted the mission of KeFAAS, helping potential members to understand the benefits of joining this organization.
Active Engagement: The group also participated in agricultural fairs on a national level, helping to build connections with stakeholders throughout the industry.
Capacity Building: Industry knowledge was improved by investing in training programs with an extension-focused curriculum.
Positive Impacts: A number of positive outcomes result from the efforts of KeFAAS.
Stronger Connections: Organizations with similar goals and values, like the Seed Savers Network (SSN) formed strong ties with KeFAAS through participation in agricultural fairs. Clear communication practices also helped form these new relationships.
Mutually Beneficial Projects: Funding was secured and successful projects were completed through the new collaborations that have formed.
Improved Coordination: Farmers and the sector as a whole benefitted from the improved extension coordination that was achieved with farmers and other stakeholders.
So What?: This is an excellent case study into the power of shared knowledge, goals, and mutual respect. Much has already been accomplished by KeFAAS, and we recommend the following to build on that growth:
Create advisory councils consisting of a diverse set of representatives.
Focus on serving members and affiliated organizations by building awareness around important topics and sharing knowledge.
Build dedicated platforms that can be used to spread information conveniently.
By adopting these strategies, agricultural extension services can be more efficient and effective in addressing the diverse needs of farmers in Kenya and beyond.
For additional information I've included the source research for reference:
Lamm, K. W., Masambuka-Kanchewa F., Lamm, A. J., Davis, K., & Nahdy, S. (2020). Strengthening coordination among extension service providers for improved provision of agricultural extension and advisory services: A case study from Kenya. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 27(3), 18-26. https://doi.org/10.4148/2831-5960.1100
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