DETERMINING INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY OF VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTERS TO PROMOTE AGRICULTURAL MECHANIZATION AMONG SMALL HOLDER FARMERS IN KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Despite the benefits offered by Vocational Education including skills about agricultural mechanization, Small Holder Farmersare yet to benefit from vocational training with regard to agricultural mechanization. The purpose of this study, was to determine the Institutional Capacity of Vocational Training Centres to promote agricultural mechanization among Small Holder Farmers. However the study focused on determining the Outreach Services offered by Vocational Training Centres that promote agricultural mechanization. Descriptive survey research design was employed in this study. The sample size comprised of 110 Small Holder Farmers, 21 principals and 21 Heads of Departments. The reliability coefficient of instruments was 0.713. A coefficient of 0.70 was accepted as reliable. Interview guides for principals and Focus Group Discussion, facilities observation guides, questionnaires for Heads of Department were used to collect data. Descriptive statistics of mean, frequency and percentages were applied to analyse data. This study found out that Vocational Training Centres had Institutional Capacity to promote agricultural mechanisation but requires improvement and modernisation. The study noted that Vocational Training Centres offer Outreach Services but not scheduled. This study therefore recommend that Vocational Training Centres must intentionally build adequate institutional capacity intended for the promotion of agricultural mechanisation among small holder farmers. Findings can be used by Vocational Training Centresto promote adoption of agricultural mechanisation among Small Holder Farmers through.