Voluntarism as an investment in human, social and financial capital: evidence from a farmer-to-farmer extension program in Keny



View results in:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-013-9463-5
DOI: 
10.1007/s10460-013-9463-5
Provider: 
Licensing of resource: 
Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY)
Type: 
journal article
Journal: 
Agriculture and Human Values
Pages: 
231-243
Volume: 
31
Author(s): 
Kiptot E.
Franzel S.
Publisher(s): 
Description: 

A decline in public sector extension services in developing countries has led to an increasing emphasis on alternative extension approaches that are participatory, demand-driven, client-oriented, and farmer centered. One such approach is the volunteer farmer-trainer (VFT) approach, a form of farmer-to-farmer extension where VFTs host demonstration plots and share information on improved agricultural practices within their community. VFTs are trained by extension staff and they in turn train other farmers. A study was conducted to understand the rationale behind the decisions of smallholder farmers to volunteer their time and resources to train other farmers without pay and to continue volunteering. Data were gathered through focus group discussions and individual interviews involving 99 VFTs

Publication year: 
2013
Keywords: 
farmer-to-farmer extension
Gender
Volunteer farmer trainers
motivation
Human capital
Social capital
Financial capital