Improvements
in agricultural technologies can play a critical role in enhancing the welfare
of rural communities in kenya. Agriculture is a principal sector in the
development of such communities. In Kenya, Agricultural research is conducted
by a number of different institutions comprising both the government and
non-governmental institutions. Most agricultural
researches conducted have mainly majored on assessment of biodiversity and
traditional high crops. Generally, agricultural research efforts aim at
contributing to existing knowledge and improving the quality of life. However,
despite these numerous research efforts, the levels of poverty and low
agricultural production still remain significantly low. The purpose of this
study was to establish the factors affecting the utilization of agricultural
research findings within Rural communities in Kenya. The study findings are an
indispensable tool to different players in the agricultural sector including;
the government in policy formulation, and help in adding to the existing
knowledge on utilization of agricultural research findings.
The study adopted an
ex post facto descriptive design to assess factors affecting the utilization of
agricultural research findings within Yatta division. The target population for
this study was 21,012 respondents consisting of 21,000 small scale farmers,
division agricultural officer, division agricultural extension official, three
location agricultural extension officers, and researchers in Yatta division.
The sample size was composed of 178 small scale farmers, one division
agricultural officer, one division agricultural extension official, and four
location agricultural extension officers, and four researchers. Cluster
sampling was used in selecting a sample of 178 small scale farmers while
Judgmental sampling in selecting the focus groups, four researchers and
division agricultural officer, division agricultural extension official, and
location agricultural extension officers to be interviewed as key informants.
Pretest exercise was applied for reliability test using the split half
reliability method. Data collected from the field was processed through data
cleaning/editing and categorization into categories, themes and patterns for
further analysis. Analysis was performed by use of SPSS for Quantitative data
and relational content analysis for qualitative data.
The analyzed data was presented by use of narrative
reports, pie-chart, tables, percentages and graphs. The study results revealed
that the average farmer within the division was a female, who could not read
and write and the income levels are less than kshs 5,000. Poverty and
illiteracy formed the major barriers to research results utilization. Further
the available agricultural research results were highly limited to only those
services farmers can access with minimal income such as free distribution of
seeds and fertilizers. The average farmer within the division is unaware of the
numerous agricultural research findings produced within and outside the
division by various institutions. Researchers and extension officers relied on
a very small spectrum of information dissemination tools/avenues
