Mwangi, Stanley Ndegwa (2009) The Role of Smallholder Farmer Group in Delivery of Agricultural Services for Improved Livelihoods in Murang'a District, Kenya. Masters thesis, Kenyatta University.
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Abstract
Since the 1990s, there has been liberalization affecting the delivery of agricultural services in many sub-Saharan African countries. The introduction of a free market in Kenya has led to the collapse of the cooperatives that had monopoly on agricultural produce marketing and input supply subsidized by the Government. On the other hand, the private sector, which is in its nascent stage, often find it uneconomical to provide most agricultural services to the smallholder farmers particularly, due to poor infrastructure in many rural areas. Thus, in many instances widespread gaps have been created in agricultural service provision which adversely affects smallholder agricultural productivity. As adaptive strategies smallholder farmers in several developing countries have organized themselves as groups in attempt to improve their access to agricultural services. Studies on cooperatives and women groups with the latter often focusing on socio-cultural objectives particularly, on home economics and merry-go rounds are also common. However, little focus has been on the grassroots local initiatives' role in smallholder agricultural development. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the role played by farmer groups in enhancing smallholder farmers' access to agricultural services in Kahuro Division, Murang'a District, Kenya. Stratified random sampling (using four locations) was used to obtain the study sample of 80 respondents. Researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect the primary data for this study. Secondary data was also used. Data analysis for this study was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel computer software. The study revealed that up to 75% and 50% of respondents indicated that the main driving force behind the formation of the farmer groups was their desire for increased incomes; and increased food production respectively. Clear objectives are prerequisite for effective functioning of groups. It was noted that members of the 8 farmer groups sampled engaged in diverse income-generating enterprises such as horticultural farming and dairy-goat keeping. On average, about 52% of members indicated that their access to three agricultural services namely; marketing, extension and financial services had improved after joining farmer groups. The above findings clearly indicate that farmer groups have enormous potential of enhancing smallholder farmers' access to agricultural services. Majority of the respondents (87%) identified the poor access to farm credit as the most critical challenge they were facing; followed by high cost of inputs (71%), low selling prices of farm produce (69%); and persistent drought (61%). To foster financial independence this study recommends that farmer groups should be formed around income-generating activities. The government, private sector plus NGOs should also support such grassroots efforts through capacity building that will go along way in improving management of farmer groups. Farmer groups can only flourish in an environment with proper climate for group development. Improved access to agricultural coco'"";"P'3 ~!:r()'_lgheffective farmer groups will lead to increased agricultural productivity nludl Jirc:ctly enhances food security and improved livelihoods
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Tim Khabala |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Mar 2018 10:11 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Mar 2018 10:11 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/3476 |
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