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

Author

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  • Evelyne Kiptot

  • Steven Franzel

Abstract

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. Findings of the study showed that VFTs were motivated by a combination of personal and community interests that were influenced by religious beliefs, cultural norms, and social and economic incentives. Altruism, gaining knowledge and skills, and social benefits were the most frequently mentioned motivating factors for becoming VFTs.3 years after starting, the income earned from selling associated inputs and services was also a main motivating factor. There were no significant differences between motivating factors for men and women VFTs. The findings point to the fact that VFTs work effectively without being paid, but investments in human, social, and financial capital are crucial to keeping them motivated. These factors are key to ensuring the sustainability of farmer-to-farmer extension programs beyond the projects’ lifespan. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Evelyne Kiptot & Steven Franzel, 2014. "Voluntarism as an investment in human, social and financial capital: evidence from a farmer-to-farmer extension program in Kenya," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 31(2), pages 231-243, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:agrhuv:v:31:y:2014:i:2:p:231-243
    DOI: 10.1007/s10460-013-9463-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dineo Seabe & Ronelle Burger, 2017. "Building bridges or deepening divides: Resources and formal volunteering in post-apartheid South Africa," Working Papers 03/2017, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.
    3. Fan Yang & Krishna P. Paudel, 2023. "Nutrition, multidimensional poverty and income: The case of Nepal," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(7), pages 1962-1984, October.
    4. Fisher, Monica & Holden, Stein T. & Katengeza, Samson P., 2017. "Adoption of CA technologies among Followers of Lead Farmers: How Strong is the Influence from Lead Farmers?," CLTS Working Papers 7/17, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Centre for Land Tenure Studies, revised 21 Oct 2019.
    5. Shilei Qiao & Jiyao Liu & Tao Xu & Desheng Zhang, 2025. "Livelihood Capital, Speculative Preferences, and Natural Rubber Farmers’ Participation in Cooperatives," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, March.
    6. Rodrigo Abed & Haroon Sseguya & James Flock & Silvanus Mruma & Hamisi Mwango, 2020. "An Evolving Agricultural Extension Model for Lasting Impact: How Willing Are Tanzanian Farmers to Pay for Extension Services?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-13, October.
    7. Qing Zhang & Juan Li & Tiaojun Xiao, 2022. "Contract design for technology sharing between two farmers," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 314(2), pages 677-707, July.
    8. Ellinor Isgren & Yann Clough & Alice Murage & Elina Andersson, 2023. "Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push-Pull Technology (PPT)," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 15(5), pages 1399-1420, October.
    9. Nilsson, Pia & Backman, Mikaela & Bjerke, Lina & Maniriho, Aristide, 2019. "One cow per poor family: Effects on the growth of consumption and crop production," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 1-12.
    10. Ragasa, Catherine, 2020. "Effectiveness of the lead farmer approach in agricultural extension service provision: Nationally representative panel data analysis in Malawi," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    11. Christophe Rodier & Paul C. Struik, 2018. "Nodal Farmers’ Motivations for Exchanging Sorghum Seeds in Northwestern Ethiopia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, October.
    12. Maredia, Mywish K. & Farris, Jarrad G. & Mason, Nicole M. & Morgan, Stephen N., 2022. "Effectiveness of farmer-led extension that combines demonstration plots and free trial packs: A field experiment in Tanzania," 2022 Annual Meeting, July 31-August 2, Anaheim, California 322528, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    13. Long Niu & Chuntian Lu & Rui Sun, 2023. "The Impact of Livelihood Capital on Subjective Well-Being of New Professional Farmers: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.

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