Abstract:
Agricultural productivity in Uasin Gishu County remains below potential, with maize
yields averaging 4.0 t/ha against an attainable 6.75 t/ha and milk yields stagnating at 5
litres per cow per day compared to the potential 20 litres. Existing studies show that
gender inequalities significantly constrain productivity: Irish potato production records
an 11% yield gap favouring men, while women who make up 61% of smallholder dairy
farmers continue to face restricted access to land, technology and extension support.
Agricultural extension workers are critical in addressing such disparities. There is
strong gender-mainstreaming commitments within Kenya’s agricultural policies,
however production gap persists indicating limited translation of policy intent into
field-level practice. Evidence points to limited gender competencies among staff.
Despite this concern, empirical analysis of the gender-responsiveness of extension
competencies in Uasin Gishu has remained scarce. This study therefore assessed the
competencies of agricultural extension workers in responding to gender-related
challenges affecting agricultural productivity in Uasin Gishu County. Guided by the
Gender Transformative Change (GTC) theory and a pragmatic paradigm, the study
focused on three objectives: determining the training in gender issues received by
extension workers, examining the integration of gender issues into extension work and
identifying interventions to enhance gender-responsive service delivery. A descriptive
research design within a sequential transformative mixed-method approach (with
quantitative priority) was employed. Using Yamane’s (1967) formula, a sample of 90
extension workers was drawn from a population of 116 and proportionally stratified by
gender and deployment area. Quantitative data were collected using a customized UN
based tool for assessing capacity to promote gender equality, while interviews with six
farmers (three men and three women) provided qualitative insights. Findings revealed
that 86% of extension workers had not received adequate gender training and about half
did not integrate gender considerations into service delivery. Farmer interviews
confirmed male-biased extension support. Respondents identified gender training
(100%) and provision of gender manuals (80%) as key interventions. The study
concludes that strengthening gender-responsive knowledge, skills and tools among
extension workers is essential for reducing gender disparities and improving
agricultural productivity in Uasin Gishu County.
