| dc.description.sponsorship | The main objective of this study is to determine
the optimal mechanization levels on different sized
farms ln semi-arid areas with respect to the current
level of labour force and land size. The study also
I
attempts to explore the optimal levels of mechanization
with increasing labour and farm Size.
Chapter one of this thesis points out the role
played by agriculture in the Kenyan economy and also
states the problems facing the small scale farmers in
semi-arid areas with respect to land, labour, farming
systems and mechanization. Chapter two reviews the
literature on the role and effects of mechanization
in agriculture with special reference to cultivation.
Chapter three consists of the objectives of the study
and the methodology used both ln data collection and
analyses. It is in this chapter that the different
models and analytical techniques are depicted.
Chapter four gives the findings of the study while
the summary, conclusions and recommendations are
found in Chapter five.
The data used were derived from a field survey
of 56 farmers in three sub-locations of lower
Kirinyaga, during the period between November 1978
and February 1979. Linear and parametric programmlng
were the main tools ~f analysis.
Of the different mechanization levels, it was
found that ox-cultivation gives higher'returns than
hand and tractor cultivation on all the different
farm sizes. The major constrains to increasing
production were found to be human labour, oxen and
tractor services as well as operating capital. As
a result these constraints, it was found that hand tools
operators can optimally ma~age only a two-hectare farm,
a three-hectare farm with tractor operators while oxen
users can manage four hectares. It was also found
that maize/beans mixture 1S a more profitable
enterprise than cotton. It is concluded that to
increase agricultural productivity in semi-arid areas,
ox-cultivation (using own oxen) should be encouraged
and the level of general farm management raised.
Further re,search aimed at finding suitable ox cultivation
implements should also be carried out | en |
