AN INVESTIGATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS’ ENROLMENT IN YOUNG FARMERS CLUB OF KENYA (YFCK) AND ESTABLISHMENT OF INDIVIDUAL FARM PROJECTS AT HOME: A CASE OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NJORO SUB- COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Agriculture is a hands on subject that requires students to put into action what they learn in school. The role of young Farmers club of Kenya (YFCK) is to train young people to be productive future farmers. Secondary school education is terminal to the majority of the youth, non-attainment of lifelong skills in agriculture may lead to low standards of living and a decline in agricultural productivity. The main aim of the study was to determine relationship between student enrolment in young farmers clubs of Kenya and their performance in agricultural co-curricular activities in public secondary schools in Njoro sub-county, Nakuru County, Kenya. The research employed a descriptive survey design. A sample of 150 agriculture students from 15 schools was selected using purposive random sampling technique. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview schedule. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics using statistical package for social science (SPSS version 25). Reliability of research instrument was estimated using Cronbach alpha. The findings of the study indicated that at least (71.0%) of students who were members of YFC were able to establish either crop or animal projects at home. The mostly kept animals by students at home was chicken, sheep, cows, rabbits and goats. However, those who kept animals, (73.3%) indicated their projects were not successful. (57.3%) the students who grew crops like cabbages, maize, carrots, beetroots trees and onions indicated that of their crops did not grow successfully. The results indicated that there was a relationship between student enrolment in YFC and establishment of projects at home.

Keywords: Enrolment in young farmer club, establishment of individual projects, agriculture, secondary school students