AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONTRIBUTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL AGRICULTURE CURRICULUM AND THE YFCK ACTIVITIES TOWARDS PROMOTING STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION IN SUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES IN KENYA

Abstract

The need to produce sufficient food to sustain the exponentially growing human population is plunging most nations globally into an inextricable snare of environmental degradation mainly due to the adoption of poor farming techniques coupled with the increasing use of agro-chemicals. One of the general objectives of the secondary school Agriculture curriculum is to promote farming activities which enhance environmental conservation and for this reason, concepts on environmental education have been incorporated in the secondary school Agriculture curriculum. This study aimed at establishing the contribution of school Agriculture curriculum and the Young Farmers Club of Kenya (YFCK) activities towards promoting students’ participation in sustainable farming practices (SFP). 150 form three Agriculture students from 15 schools were involved in the study. Descriptive survey research design was employed. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26. T-test was used to analytically compare the responses from the respondents involved in YFC activities and those not involved. The study established that secondary school agriculture curriculum has a wide coverage of SFP which learners should be engaged in during the learning process. In addition, the study established that there is significant relationship between YFCK activities and learner’s involvement in sustainable farming practices (SFP). The study therefore recommended secondary school agriculture teachers to actively engage learners in carrying out agriculture syllabus and YFC activities which enhance learner’s involvement in SFP.