The relationship between Machakos township industrial sector with its resource hinterland
Abstract
It is expected that industries in any
geographical setting when closely linked with their
resource hinterland, will contribute to the development
of the resource hinterland through provision of
employment, incomes, as well as giving incentives to
the agricultural sector through purchasing the agricultural
raw materials.
This study examines the relationship between
Machakos township industrial sector with its resource
hinterland. This is done with a view of assessing
how the industries located in the township have
promoted the development of their resource hinterland.
For detailed investigations, two agro-based industries
namely Kenya Orchards Limited (KOL) and Makos Millers
were selected.
The study revealed that there exists a weak
relationship between the Machakos township industrial
sector and its resource hinterland. This is because,
although the industries employ majority of the workers
from Machakos District, majority of the workers
earn low incomes. In addition, the fruits farmers
earn relatively low incomes~ from the sale of their
fruits to the fruit processing industry. This is
(vii)
because, they (farmers) are given low prices for their
fruits, and the fact that the Kenya Orchards Limited
also obtains some of the fruits from outside the
district while the district produces more than the
industry's demand. This is largely due to ignorance
on the part of the management on the availability
of the raw materials within the District as well as
lack of incentives from the industry to the farmers.
Some of the industries were found to encounter
problems which limit their expansion and consequently
their contribution to the development of their rural
hinterland. These problems include poor transportation
and water among others.
How~ver the study found that there was potential
for establishment of certain industries.
Citation
A thesis submitted in 'part' fulfilment for the degree of master of arts (planning) in the university of NairobiPublisher
Arts Economics, University of Nairobi