Evaluation of Small Scale Farmers’ Educational Level, Experience, Age and Effects on Performance of Greenhouse Technology Production of High Value Horticultural Crops in Gusii Highlands, Kenya

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate how farmers’ education level, experience and age affect performance of the technology.

Study Design: The research design employed in the study is a survey research design. Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Department of Medicine (Medical Unit IV) and Department of Radiology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Services Hospital Lahore, between June 2009 and July 2010.

Methodology: A purposive and multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 276 respondents guided by target population of 1,000 and the concentration of farmers practicing the technology in the study area. Questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data. Data was then computer analysed using Microsoft excel, linear regression analysis and SPSS software.

Results: The study major finding is that greenhouse tomato production in small scale farms in Gusii Highlands is low ranging between 2,484.67kg and 6,558.50kg compared to the potential of 7,500kg and a mean deviation of -3609.76kg. It was evident that that education level and experience had a significant effect on performance by 88.90 kg and 700.39 kg respectively (t- value 2.867 and sign level 0.005) and (t- value 9.020 and sign level 0.000). Age had an insignificant effect on performance with one year age increase resulting to increased performance by 9.74kg (t- value 1.466 and sign level 0.144).

Conclusion: The study concluded is that there is need to invest more in education of farmers to enhance greenhouse technology performance.