Development of Health and Sustainability Indicators for a Tropical Highlands Agroecosystem - Integrated Assessment of Health and Sustainability of Agroecosystems - page 168

table 6.6
summary of Indicator evaluations carried out by communities in the
Intensive study site, Kiambu district, Kenya, august-september 1998
attribute mahindi Kiawamagira Gitangu

Lifestyle No statement given a,b Some people do not farm. No

novel farming techniques.
Christian values have
modified culture. No female
circumcision. Christian
weddings/marriages
predominant. Traditional food
types and cooking methods
are disappearing. Most houses
made of timber and/or iron
sheets.

No clear assessment. a

Social
organization

Lack of unity caused
failure of most
plans. Planning was
inadequate.

Very good. Meetings held
regularly. Considerable
progress in CAP (Community
Action Plans)
implementation. Number of
groups few, indicating lack of
unity.

Persistence of water
problem indicates
ineffective leadership.

Equity No statement given. Meetings balanced in terms of

gender and age. “Women do
most of the farmwork and
household chores, while men
keep most of the farm
income.”

Gender relations fair.
Women share in
leadership positions.
Income from farm is
owned by both.

Quality of
environment

Air quality good.
Streams are clean.
There is need to
increase use of
latrines, improve
garbage disposal,
and boil drinking
water.

Waterborne diseases (diarrhea)
very common. Smell and
effluent from slaughterhouses
pollute. “Jiggers, indicating
insufficient water for
domestic use, afflict many
children.”

Lack of water lowers the
hygiene standards. Many
varieties of chemicals
used. There is need for
proper disposal of these
materials.

Soil fertility Only 3 farms have

fertile soil. Fertility
improved by use of
manure.

Weeds c that indicate soil
fertility not found. Signs of
erosion in every farm.

Average soil fertility.
Nearly all farms use
manure. Erosion evident
in some farms.

Farm
productivity

The yields are too
low. No granaries at
all.

More dairy cattle than 4 years
ago. Maize, beans, and
cabbages purchased.

Productivity low because of
poor management and
lack of water. Most
produce consumed on
farm.