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Informal Change Agents and Faith: Diffusing Agricultural Innovations Among Kenyan Farmers

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Informal Change Agents and Faith: Diffusing Agricultural Innovations Among Kenyan Farmers Informal Change Agents and Faith: Diffusing Agricultural Innovations among Kenyan Farmers by Ian Shelburne, MA, MDiv A Dissertation In AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATION Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of Texas Tech University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY Approved Dr. David E. Lawver Chair of Committee Dr. Steven Fraze Dr. Jonathan Ulmer Dr. Charles Stephenson Dominick Casadonte Dean of the Graduate School December, 2012 Copyright 2012, Ian Shelburne Texas Tech University, Ian Shelburne, December 2012 Acknowledgments I gratefully acknowledge the guidance and assistance of my doctoral committee in the preparation, conduct, and reporting of this research. Specifically, I am indebted to Dr. David Lawver for his generous and seasoned counsel from the beginning of my program of study to the end of my dissertation research. Dr. Jon Ulmer has my warm gratitude for invaluable navigational assistance on the sea of statistics, and for contributing to the rigor and clarity of this report with his incisive comments. This study would not have been possible without the hospitality, prayers, and logistical assistance of my partners in Kenya. Keith and Grace Gafner hosted me repeatedly in their home and lent me their vehicle; and Keith’s administrative skill kept the whole project on track. John and Alice Kirwa provided many meals and constant encouragement; John served ably as overall coordinator of the data-collection process. Philip Tuwei and Moses Kiprotich, my research assistants, capably worked long hours interviewing seminar participants. Ezekiel and Sally Cheruiyot hosted me royally during my stays at Twiga, and treated me as family. The overseeing committee of the Twiga Demonstration Farm welcomed me and legitimized my research in the eyes of the community as a whole: Keith Gafner (project patron); John Kirwa (project coordinator); Isaac Tuwei (chairman); Ben Arusei (secretary); Ezekiel Cheruiyot (treasurer); and David Chirchir, David Mase, Pastor Paul Serem, Pastor Joseph Karoney, Pastor David Kibet Kemboi, Steven Chirchir, and James Korir (committee members). To all of these I extend humble thanks. ii Texas Tech University, Ian Shelburne, December 2012 I am grateful also for supplemental information about farming and demographics in the Moiben area and in Uasin Gishu North District provided by Extension Officer Elizabeth Wamalwa and by District Development Officer Joyce Sanga. The instructors who shared from their expertise at the three seminars on which this study was based are to be commended for their excellent work: Robert K. Serem and Philip Tuwei (dairy-management seminar); John Kirwa (poultry-keeping seminar); David Biwott and Ranison Mwarabu (bee-keeping seminar). I thank my wife, Danetta, and our children for their patience and support during many months when I have been less available to them than I would like. Finally, I acknowledge the ultimate Innovator, God, who has enabled me to complete this study. Soli Deo gloria. iii Texas Tech University, Ian Shelburne, December 2012 Table of Contents Acknowledgments ......................................................................................................... ii Abstract...................................................................................................................... viii List of Tables ................................................................................................................. x List of Abbreviations ............................................................................................... xviii Chapter One: Introduction .......................................................................................... 1 Background ...............................................................................................................1 Purpose of Study ........................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .....................................................................................................3 Specific Objectives ....................................................................................................4 Theoretical Framework ..............................................................................................4 Research Questions ....................................................................................................5 Delimitations, Limitations and Assumptions ..............................................................6 Delimitations. ......................................................................................................6 Limitations. ..........................................................................................................7 Assumptions. .......................................................................................................8 Significance of the Study ...........................................................................................9 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 10 Chapter Two: Review of Literature........................................................................... 12 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 12 Agricultural Extension Issues and Strategies in Africa ............................................. 13 Adoption and diffusion of agricultural innovations. ............................................ 14 iv Texas Tech University, Ian Shelburne, December 2012 Participatory methods......................................................................................... 15 Farmer field schools. .......................................................................................... 17 Farmers’ groups. ................................................................................................ 20 Empowerment of women. .................................................................................. 21 Educational background, programs, and diffusion of innovations. ...................... 23 Role of Religion and Local Faith Communities ........................................................ 24 Cosmology and worldview. ................................................................................ 25 Christianity in Africa.......................................................................................... 27 Partnerships in development. .............................................................................. 29 Religious faith and innovation adoption. ............................................................ 30 Theoretical Framework ............................................................................................ 31 Diffusion of Innovations. ................................................................................... 31 Social Cognitive Theory. .................................................................................... 32 Theory of Planned Behavior. .............................................................................. 33 Social Network Analysis. ................................................................................... 34 Chapter Three: Methodology ..................................................................................... 36 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 36 Research Design ...................................................................................................... 36 Context of the study. .......................................................................................... 36 Participant selection. .......................................................................................... 39 Sample-related threats to validity. ...................................................................... 39 Population and samples. ..................................................................................... 40 v Texas Tech University, Ian Shelburne, December 2012 Instrumentation ........................................................................................................ 42 Data Collection ........................................................................................................ 46 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 47 Ethics....................................................................................................................... 52 Conclusion ............................................................................................................... 53 Chapter Four: Findings.............................................................................................. 54 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 54 Findings in Relation to Research Objective One ...................................................... 54 Findings in Relation to Research Objective Two ...................................................... 60 Findings in Relation to Research Objective Three .................................................... 78 Findings in Relation to Research Objectives Four and Five .................................... 117 Findings in Relation to Research Objective Six ...................................................... 129
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