Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Another is by avoiding focused discussions on single-discipline issues during the
initial stages of the process. The initial meetings should focus mainly on the over-
all process, the methods, and expected outcomes. Problem statements and problem
analyses should therefore be done after the data-gathering and analysis steps. The
other factors that reduce tautological biases are the use of a multidisciplinary team
of facilitators and the frequency of meetings with communities during the initial
process. Frequent meetings imparts to the communities the sense that the process
is ongoing and continuous and that the focus is on the communities' real concerns
and their agenda. As the engagement between researchers and communities contin-
ues, the communities learn that it is their perspective—rather than their attempts to
influence researchers' perceptions—that is important. As a result, responses become
more detailed and rationally consistent with time. This controverts the perception
that quality participatory assessments can be done rapidly.
3.4.3
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In general, human population was perceived as having increased, as did land under
cultivation, while soil fertility and farm sizes were seen as declining. Crop and human
diseases were reported as having increased. Declining tree cover and the accompany-
ing decline in firewood availability were also reported as an important trend in most
of the villages. While these perceptions were confluent with reports from agencies
and institutions in the area, the descriptions of what were perceived to be the causes
were sometimes divergent. The communities attributed population increases solely
to changes in the sociocultural dynamics and traditions as opposed to increased child
survival and life expectancy. Increases in land under cultivation and declines in farm
sizes were attributed solely to population increases, with no mention of the inability
to increase yields per land unit and the cultural practice of land subdivision.
Although the criteria for wealth and well-being were based mostly on material pos-
sessions, diet, ability to educate children, personal hygiene, and health status of family
were also mentioned. Having an off-farm income was an important criterion in most
of the villages. The value of this is likely to be in both the availability of cash income
and not being solely dependent on farm income, thus reducing risk. The type of houses
ranged widely from grass thatched huts to permanent buildings, but the value of per-
manent houses seemed to be greater as a social status symbol rather than the direct
utility obtained. The fact that most villages indicated that a majority of the people were
average in wealth and well-being is more likely a reflection of the sociocultural inhibi-
tion of the communities against public discussion of wealth and poverty.
Surprisingly, all communities except Gikabu described malaria as one of the
most important diseases in terms of both prevalence and severity. Kiambu district,
in the highlands, is not considered climatically suitable for sustained transmission of
malaria. SSIs with clinical and medical officers in the health facilities used by these
communities confirmed that a diagnosis of malaria was made in the majority of cases
exhibiting fever and headache. Furthermore, three of the communities perceived a
relationship between increases in the mosquito population and the prevalence of
malaria. It remains to be confirmed that there were significant changes in the vector
dynamics and infection rates in those recent years.
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