two-thrids of the agents considered women farmers more likely co adopt their advice (World Bank, 1989). In both Meru and Muranga, the majority of agents reported that three-fourths of the farmers they see on a regular basis are women contact farmers or wivas of male contact farmers. In addition, extension agents are increasingly working with women's groups as a composite contact farmer (World Bank, 1989).

Because women's groups are a traditional and prevalent form of organization in rural Kenya, they have been able to serve as effective channels of communication in the extension system. Under the T&V system, extension agents are directed to work with at least one women's group. By working with women's groups, agents can increase their time on task and reduce their travel time. It has been suggested that these efforts could enable extension agents to meet a much greater number of farmers at a lower total cost (World Bank, 1989). While some surveys report agents experiencing problems reaching and working with women's groups -- reasons given include to absenteeism and poor attendance on the part of the women, and lack of organizational skills to handle -- demonstrations in the absence of an agent (Ministry of Agriculture, 1986) other evidence points to positive effects from this interaction. Findings from Meru and Muranga suggest that contact between agents and women's groups is quite successful: in more than half the women's groups, three-fourths of the members reported attending sessions regularly (World Bank, 1989). Other information from Busia, Baringo and Taita-Tavate confirms the effectiveness of women's groups as channels of agricultural information (Muzaale and Leonard, 1982). The effectiveness and relevance of the agricultural extension message itself, for farmers in general and women farmers in particular, needs to be carefully assessed in light of some of the problems cited by male extension agents. Broader issues related to the existence of relevant research and the links between the agricultural research system and the extension system will also have an impact on women's access to extension.

# b. Home Economics Extension

Women's knowledge of nutrition issues and their access to nutrition education also influences their ability to ensure household food security. In Kenya, home economics is the responsibility of the Home Economics Branch within the Directorate of Agriculture in the Ministry of Agriculture. In its headquarters and field work, the Branch focuses on three main areas: nutrition and food utilization; home management; and population education. As such, home economics extension has been integrated into the overall _TU_ system of extension since the 1983 reorganization, with staff at the District, Provincial, Locational and sub-Locational levels. Because of the shortage of home economic agents (all female) a decision was made for all agents, including agricultural extension agents (mostly male) to deliver nutrition information. Messages on both agricultural production and home economics were meant to be discussed at the monthly workshops for extension staff. This strategy was expected to allow more farmers to receive the appropriate information.

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