| dc.description.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. | en |
