| dc.description.abstract | This study sought to assess the response of the contract tobacco fanners to the British
American Tobacco Company Reforestation Programme in Oyani Area, Migori District.
The study approached reforestation in Oyani as a process with different stages. In order
to address the study topic, the following specific issues were examined: the distribution
and acquisition of tree seedlings; actual planting of the seedlings acquired and
compliance to the target set by the company; and lastly, the management of wood fuel for
curing the tobacco crop. Both probability and non probability sampling techniques were
used to select fifty BAT contract fanners who were interviewed. Ten non contract
fanners were also interviewed as a control group. The study relied on both primary and
secondary data. Primary data was gathered through a questionnaire survey, using both
closed and open ended questions, key informant interviews and focused group
discussions. The study had three key hypotheses. First, the number of trees acquired by
contract fanners increased with one's proximity to the central nursery. Second, the
number of tree seedlings planted increased depending on a higher level of labour supply.
Third, farmers' levels of income determined the purchase of wood fuel in response to
shortfall in wood fuel supply.
The study findings indicate that BAT farmers' response to the reforestation programme
was positive evidenced by positive change in planting of trees compared to the period
prior to the recent changes. Specific improvements noted were enhanced distribution and
acquisition of tree seedlings. This was mainly due to the introduction of both central
nursery and tractors to transport seedlings to farmers who stayed further away from the
nursery site. The main problems experienced were destruction of seedlings in the process
of transportation due to rough terrain and poor organisation at the collection site. The
study also established that not all tree seedlings acquired were planted and the target set
was not always met. There was, however, a general agreement among farmers
interviewed that the number of trees planted in 2005 had improved and they were striving
for the most part to meet the target set. Lack of adequate labour and acquisition of
inadequate seedlings supply were cited as the main challenges experienced during the
actual planting. Thus, the introduction of the central nursery addressed the problem of
-- IV
inadequate labour required for nursery preparation but then sufficient labour was still
required for actual planting. This meant that at the subsequent stage of tree growing the
problem of inadequacy of labour remained.
The study established that some of the seedlings planted did not grow to maturity. This
was due to certain problems encountered in the course of tree nurturing, including pest
attack, loss to drought, animal destruction and browsing. The problems were attributed to
lack of adequate extension services required to address challenges encountered in the
process of nurturing. The study also established that not all trees grown to maturity were
used for the intended purpose. The findings show that shortfall in wood fuel supply was a
reality. A farmer could or not at all experience the problem depending on the farmer's
ability to predict the immanent shortfall and undertake preventive measures. The main
cause of shortfall in wood fuel supply was the fact that some farmers did not replace trees
cut in the course of the production on the grounds that trees are naturally available.
Farmers who experienced shortfall responded in different ways. Most of them purchased
wood fuel from other sources. Thus, shortfall in wood fuel supply did not necessarily lead
to farmers' exit from the production of tobacco.
All in all, it is apparent most of these problems were attributed to the company's
approach to the programme. The company did not involve farmers and other stakeholders
in the conceptualisation, design and the management of major aspects of the programme.
Some problems like social cultural beliefs among farmers reflect what in the analysis of
Douglas North (1990) would be referred to as institutional constraints. Nonetheless, there
were also non institutional factors such as rough terrain which had negative effects on the
programme. Some of the ways suggested to address these challenges are involving
farmers practically in every stage of the programme, and allocating more resources to the
reforestation programme. | en |
