Abstract

The study seeks to fill an information gap of critical role of human resource development in the implementation of differential advantage approach in Kenya One Village One Product (OVOP) projects. It seems that Kenya OVOP was a government-driven project with emphasis on product development, a deviation from its origin model which was people driven movement and put an emphasis on human resources development. It therefore seems to suggest that lack of deep understanding of requisite role of human resource development in the implementation of differential advantage approach is a matter of apprehension. The overall objective of the study is to assess the role of human resource development in the implementation of differential advantage approach in Kenya OVOP projects with the view of deepening our understanding of the requisite activities for quality workforce for rural development. The study was a descriptive case design. The study took place in three pioneer districts adopted OVOP project in Kenya: Nyeri North, Laikipia West, and Yatta. Three OVOP projects (Jitunze, Rumuruti, and Kionyweni cases) with 72 individuals were selected through quota sampling on the ground of pre-specified characteristics. Questionnaires, interviews guides, focus group discussion (FGDs) and observations were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. A literal replication analysis also involved to confirm predicted propositions through pattern matching and generalizing results. Study recommended the establishment of village business development centres, provision of demand-based skills, and leadership development capacity. It was therefore hoped that the lesson provided may be useful for improvement of rural livelihood through differential advantage approach.

Key words: Differentiation, learning, training, development, education.