The effect of devolved agricultural extension services on food production in Kwanza sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Devolution in Kenya was introduced with the expectation that shifting service delivery responsibilities from the national government to county governments would improve efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness across key sectors. Agriculture was one of the major functions assigned to counties, with the aim of bringing extension services closer to farmers and enhancing food production at the grassroots. In Kwanza Sub County, however, the actual influence of devolved agricultural extension services on food production has not been fully studied or documented since devolution took effect. This study was guided by the Four Pillars of Food Security Theory, which highlights availability, access, utilization, and stability as the main factors that shape food security outcomes. The purpose of the study was to examine how devolved agricultural extension services affect food production, with a focus on maize farming, which remains the county’s main staple and food security crop. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population consisted of 26,767 maize farmers in Kwanza Sub County. From this population, a sample of 379 farmers was selected through simple random sampling to ensure fairness and representation. In addition, eight key informants drawn from both public and private agricultural institutions were selected through purposive sampling due to their direct involvement in agricultural extension and policy implementation. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires, semi-structured questionnaires, and an interview guide. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with the support of SPSS software, and the results were presented using tables, charts, and graphs for clarity. The findings revealed widespread dissatisfaction among farmers regarding the effectiveness of agricultural extension services under devolution. A total of 70 percent of respondents disagreed that extension services had contributed to an increase in maize production, and this view was reflected in the low mode and median scores obtained. The results also indicated that several persistent challenges continue to affect extension service delivery. These include limited funding for extension activities as reported by 55 percent of respondents, inadequate staffing as reported by 60 percent, and logistical limitations that restrict extension officers from reaching farmers consistently. The study concludes that, although devolution has the potential to improve agricultural services, the current gaps in funding, staffing, coordination, and farmer engagement continue to hinder meaningful progress in food production in Kwanza Sub County. The study recommends targeted policy reforms, better resource allocation, and enhanced participatory planning to improve the effectiveness of extension services and support sustainable food security in the region.