Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
(blight and bacterial wilt). The introduction of hybrid maize seed was reported to be
the major factor in the perceived increase in maize production. The declaration of a
state of emergency in 1952 was said to be the main cause of the changes in livestock
production because of restriction in grazing activities, thefts, heavy taxation, and
fines. Sheep and goat production dropped and remained at a low level. In contrast,
cattle and poultry production had been increasing. Donkeys had been reintroduced
more recently for the purposes of transporting goods and water.
Residents of Kiawamagira village reported an increase in population, increase
in the land under cultivation, and a decline in water availability as the most impor-
tant trends since the 1950s. The consequences of these were a decline in soil fertil-
ity, declining crop yields, increasing human diseases, small farm sizes, and lack of
firewood. Rising population, increased level of education, and decreased farm sizes
were reported by Mahindi residents. Important trends in Gikabu were declining soil
fertility, declining tree cover, increasing population, low crop yields, rising popula-
tion, increased land under cultivation, increased soil erosion, and poor extension
services since the late 1970s. Beginning from 1990, there was reported to have been
a decline in rainfall, accelerated clearing of forest and woodlots, increased flooding
and soil erosion, increase in land under cultivation, and increase in human, crop, and
livestock diseases by residents of Thiririka village.
3.3.2.2
transect Walks and semistructured Interviews
Table 3.6 shows results of transect walks and SSIs conducted during the initial
workshops. Maize, kale, sheep, and dairy cattle production were observed in all six
study sites. Mahindi had the least reported cash-earning produce (two) followed by
Gikabu-na-Buti (four), while Githima had the most (six). Stream water was used for
domestic purposes in all the villages. Farmers in all the villages who were visited
during transect walks reported using commercial fertilizers (chemical).
3.3.2.3
Wealth and Well-being
The criteria used by local participants to categorize households based on their wealth
and well-being status are shown in Table 3.7. Type of house and size of farm were
used by participants in all study sites. In Githima, a wealthy household was described
as one in which members owned houses, cars, shops, or shares in companies, were
able to afford education for their children, had high personal hygiene, and had a well-
managed farm. Participants reported that 10% of the population in Githima can be
said to be wealthy, 50% average, and 40% poor.
A household that lived in a permanent house and with members who owned
vehicles or ran businesses was described as the wealthiest in Gitangu. Only 10 house-
holds in Gitangu could be described as wealthy. Local participants estimated that 5%
of households in Gitangu were poor.
Households with small farms located on marshy, hilly, or stony areas; unable to
purchase farm inputs; living in nonpermanent houses with a shortage of water; and
with none of the members having off-farm employment were described as poor in
Kiawamagira. Of the households in Kiawamagira, 45% were described as poor,
while the rest were described as “not poor.”
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