"Decision making among small scale women horticultural farmers in Limuru location of Kiambu district, Kenya"

Abstract

This study is an examination of the factors that small scale women farmers consider when engaging in horticultural farming. The study focused on a small area of Limuru Location, Kiambu District, Central Province. The objectives of the study were to identify the varieties of horticultural crops cultivated in the area and the individuals responsible for choosing these crops. It also investigated and documented the rationale for the choices made regarding type of crops grown and methods for solving problems encountered. The study finally presents an anlysis of factors that come into play in the horticultural industry with special reference to decision- making. The research was carried out between January and March 1990. The data collection methods used were those of library and archival records, survey, scheduled interviews, discussions with key informants and participant observation. Qualitative method of data analysis was employed coupled with simple percentages calculated from the responses of informants. The study established that in the horticultural industry of the area under study, women are key decision makers on farm and farm related activities. Decisions made focus on household food requirements and generation of hard cash used to purchase other household needs, and agricultural materials. In the whole exercise of decision making, several factors were considered. These were land size, structure, availability and access to essential inputs, technical applicators or possibility of improvisation, marketability, time of maturing of crops, possibility of intercropping and many more. Agricultural decisions made were found to be practical, realistic and progressive in promoting horticultural development and assurance of selfsustenance.