Planning for Agro-industries in Rural Communities: the Case of Kinangop Sub-county, Nyandarua County

Abstract

Agro-industries are important vehicles in rural development. They enhance food security and employment creation in off-farm activities, thereby boosting levels of income and government revenue that is generated from the rural economy. The industries are also a source of agricultural products that meet demand in the local and international market. These and other reasons justify the need for effective planning for agro-industries in fulfilling the quest for development in rural areas. This study is about planning for agro-industrial sub-sector in Kinangop Sub-county. It examined the extent to which the sub-sector is planned to foster rural development; assessed the state of the agro-industrial sub-sector in Kinangop sub-county; assessed the economic and social impacts of the agro-industries which signify rural development; evaluated the role of land use planning in siting and growth of agro-industries; and proposed planning interventions that can promote further growth of agro-industries in Kinangop sub-county. The study makes two assumptions. First effective planning for agro-industries has to happen within the framework of integrated development planning and implementation. In the second assumption, past efforts in improving rural economies in the study area have failed to improve rural standard of living conditions in rural region communities. Data was collected from three categories of data sources. First primary data was collected from a sample size of 80 farmer house households represent 0.05% of total population in the study area as per 2019 census population. Household questionnaires were administered to collect on socio-economic characteristics of the household, agricultural production, the state agro-industrial sub-sector and rural development planning in the study area. Second, key informant interviews schedules were administered in the 5 agro-industrial firms in the study area. Finally, three questionnaires were administered to officials of Nyandarua County Government to collect data on revenue received from agro-industrial firms, planning regulation affecting gro-industrial sub-sector and existing development projects and programs for the sub-sector. One of the key findings of the study is that both livestock and crop farming drive the rural economy in Kinangop sub-county. However, the agro-industrial sub-sector has not been planned for and developed adequately and as such, they have not thrived to their optimum potential. Specifically, the study has established that more than 80% of respondents engage in both commercial and subsistence farming. The farmers carry out livestock rearing for milk production and they also keep sheep and indigenous chicken. They also grow cabbages, tomatoes and spinach, sweet potatoes and kale. The third key finding is that market for processed agricultural products from the four major agro-industries is outside Nyandarua County where 90% of the products are sold. Of this proportion, 3% is for export market, while remaining 97% is sold in Kenya. Farmers are organized into six cooperatives societies, namely, Lucky Dairy, Njabini Farmers’ Cooperative Society, Githioro Cooperative Society, Muki SACCO and Tarda Ardhi. The societies offer marketing services, supply of farm inputs at subsidized prices and also provide extension services that include training, Vertinary services and seedling supply at farm level. Lastly, the finding on planning is that planning for agro-industries is agro-industrial firm project specific, instead as integrated rural planning. The study has proposed comprehensive planning and development, strengthening the agriculture sector, training and capacity building, fostering economic interlinkages between Kinangop sub-county and potential markets and providing an enabling environment among others.