Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
DIVISION
Githunguri
Kiambaa
Kikuyu
Lari
Limuru
Tigoni
VILLAGES
+
INTENSIVE
EXTENSIVE
6
iririka
+
WATER SUPPLY
Githima
+
Kihenjo
6
Gitwe
6
Gikabu
+
Redhill
6
Kameria
Gitangu
6
+
Muongoiyia
Gakinduri
Makindi
6
+
6
Kiawanagira
+
fIGuRe 2.12
Map of Kiambu District showing the coverage of different water supply
schemes. See CD for color image.
Table 2.4 shows the agricultural products, inputs, and crop and animal diseases
in each of the six villages. Githima, Thiririka, and Gikabu reported herbicides as
one of the major external inputs for their villages in terms of quantity and expen-
diture. Fertilizer was considered an important input in all villages, but it was relied
on heavily only in Githima and Thiririka villages. Farmers classified farm enter-
prises as livestock (
Mahiü
), food crops (
irio
), and nonfood (cash) crops. The livestock
enterprise was further classified as commercial poultry, cattle, and small ruminants
(
mbüri
) and local chicken. Food crops were further distinguished by whether they
were mainly for consumption within the farm (subsistence) or for sale. Food crops
grown for subsistence were mostly maize, beans, potatoes, and peas. Food crops
grown mainly for the market were vegetables, especially kale (horticulture). Different
cash crop enterprises (coffee, tea, and pyrethrum) were always specified and consid-
ered separate. The farmers' choice of enterprises was governed mostly by the tradi-
tion in the area, experience of the manager, availability of resources, availability of
market for the produce, and the potential yield of the enterprise.
Horticulture was considered the most important in terms of income in all vil-
lages except Githima. The main crop produced was kale (
Sukumawiki
), which has
Search WWH ::
Custom Search