Agricultural knowledge and information systems in Kenya: implications for technology dissemination and development

This paper reports on a study of agricultural knowledge and information systems (AKIS), designed to document and assess the significance of different actors and organisations as potential uptake/dissemination pathways for agricultural technologies, and to consider ways to improve the performance of the knowledge and information systems in the districts.

Rees et al. State that links between external institutions and organisations (both government organisations and NGOs) are generally weak and poorly co-ordinated. Instead the major sources of knowledge for smallholders are local (neighbours, family, markets and community-based organisations). They add that most farmers consider that their most pressing information requirement not being adequately addressed is information on technical details of farming. Farmers suggest that this is caused by inadequate human resources (government and non-government extension) and poor local leadership (particularly for community based organisations (CBOs). Government and NGO extensionists stressed lack of resources to mobilise communities, and poor communications with researchers, ultimately causing information distortion.

Recommendations for potential delivery systems and entry points for knowledge dissemination include:

• Increased use of networking and pluralism in provision of extension and research services to increase cost-effectiveness, equity and efficiency of agricultural development
• Participatory learning approaches
• Government research institutes providing emphasis on strategic alliances with other development agencies, the production of teaching materials designed for facilitating participatory learning, and the production of 'basket-of-options' information materials for farmers and extensionists