Evaluation of the Performance of T&V Extension in Kenya

This study examines the impact of Training and Visit (T&V) extension on the basis of data for a random sample of Kenyan farmers. The strategy that the Bank has relied on in recent years to stimulate technological improvement in African agriculture has placed a major emphasis on agricultural extension. The importance that T&V based extension has acquired in the Bank's agricultural growth strategy makes it important to evaluate its experience in Africa and to measure its impact on production. An evaluation of T&V based extension in Kenya is apropos since it is the first country in Africa to adopt the system. This study has two objectives - one is to examine the implementation of T&V in Kenya in terms of its various features as evaluated by farmers and extension staff. The second objective is to test the hypothesis that because of its greater discipline and more structured management T&V has a greater impact on farm productivity than the extension system it replaced in Kenya. The study also compares the returns to T&V and the investments made in finance, personnel, and transport.