Constraints to agricultural development and their implications to rural planning: A Case study of Meita Division, South Nyanza District, Kenya.
Abstract
This study was prompted by the low level of agricultural
production and development in Mbita Division in
South Nyanza District. The average net farm income in
the division is only about KShs.I,545 per annum.
This level of income is low and inadequate to cater
for the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing
especially given that the average family size is 7.
This study therefore set to examine the causes of the
low agricultural p!:'oduction and development in the
division with the aim of suggesting and finding
alternative ways through which agricultural production
could be increased. It also set to examine the
effectiveness of District Development Planning
in rural agricultural development.
The study has identified several problems to agriculture
in the division. The problems are of economic, s~al
and physical nature. Some of the problems identified
are the inadequacy of transportation facilities, lack
of farming skills and the poor nature of soils in some
areas of the division. The District Development
Planning has been found to be less effective in effecting
planning for agricultural development. Some of the
causes of the weakness are the inadequacy of technical
personnel, inadequacy of development funds and the
weak organisational structure especially in relation
to the locational and sub-Iocational development
organisations.
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A resolution of all the above problems is necessary
and would lead to increased agricultural production
and overall development of the division. This study
therefore recommends that the conditions of the
roads in the division be improved and more extension
services be availed to the farmers. For Rusinga and
Mfangano islands where the soils are poor and cannot
sustain increased agricultural production this
study recommends the development of other income
earning opportunities i.e. fishing and tourism.
The study also makes the observation that whereas
the District should remain as the basic unit for
rural planning its effectiveness should be enhanced
through stronger grassroots organisations and
through the training and supply of more technical
personnel and increased consideration for the supply
of more funds for development.
Citation
DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN PLANNINGPublisher
University of Nairobi
Description
A Project Report Submitted In Partial Fulfillment
Of The Requirements for The Degree Of Master Of
Arts