Assessment of the Contribution of Agricultural Extension Services on Sorghum Production for Improved Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Rachuonyo North, Homa Bay County, Kenya.

ABSTRACT Agricultural extension services play a major role in improving production capacity more so in food crops. This study aimed at assessing the contribution of agricultural extension services on sorghum production for improved food Security among smallholder farmers in Rachuonyo North Sub-County of Homa Bay County. Specifically, the study focused on: contribution of both private public extension services and Influence of credit facilities on sorghum production for improved food security among the smallholder farmers in the study area. A descriptive research design was used. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were reported. Findings revealed that Sorghum farming was dominated by the youth at 62% because majority of this age set are unemployed and therefore have resorted to farming as source of livelihood, 27% aged 36-55 years with only 11% being above 55 years. Binary logistic regression showed that both private and public extension services play a significant role on sorghum production for improved food security (t=2.036, p=0.043 and t=6.441, p=0.000 respectively). Their influence is distinguished by efficiency in service delivery. Availability of credit facility equally plays a significant role on sorghum production for improved food security (t=2.868, p=0.004). Food security in the study area was measured in terms of sorghum yield, those with low yield were considered to be food insecure. It is therefore recommended that the private and public extensions services such as distribution of farm inputs and training be scaled up so as to improve sorghum production. Farmers should also be able to access credit facilities such as loans without any limitation. The findings of this study were useful to organizations and agencies already operating in the study area to identify their weaknesses and strength in service delivery.