| dc.description.abstract | This study set out to examine the role of small
scale agro-based industries in rural development.
Using a case study of West Kenya sugar factory, the
study aimed at studying the sugar industry in terms of
sugarcane farming and sugar processing in Kabras area.
These two processes have had an effect on the economic
and social well being of the people. It is against
this background that the study was prompted by the
economic and social changes that have taken place in
the study area since the introduction of sugarcane as
a cash crop and sugar processing.
In an effort to understand rural deve1opmen t
dynamics, the study examined the extent to which the
introduction of sugarcane farming and sugar processing
in the study area has had an effect on employment,
,household
income, education, infrastructure trade and
commerce, agriculture and the general living standards
of the people.
This study has revealed that with the
introduction of sugarcane farming and sugar processing
in the study area, both the sugarcane farmers and
factory workers have had additional income due to the
employment opportunities at the factory and the market
there off created by the factory for the sale of
sugarcane. These two processes have had multiplier and
distributive effects in terms of the earned incomes
being re-invested in other income generating
activities that improve the general well being of the
people. The study also revealed that the two processes
have had an effect on education and business
activities in the study area.In general the rural
community in the study area has benefited from the
introduction of the sugarcane farming and sugar
processing. The benefits are mainly social and
economic. The study concludes by recommending for the
introduction ofmore small scale sugar factories given
that the investment requirements of such factories are
manageable by local entrepreneurs and therefore more
appropriate to establish than large scale factories
which need greater public sector funding. | |
