The Modern Day Gikuyun Farmer :: Economics Kenya Agriculture Essays

The Modern Day Gikuyun Farmer The following are excerpts from a research project undertaken by Ramya Bavikatte on her Washington Semester at American University. Ramya traveled with her class to Kenya, where she learned more about the issues of small holder agriculture and the Gikuyun farmer. The purpose of this research project is to study the economic and social implications of smallholder agriculture in Kenya. The shift of smallholders from subsistence farming to cash crop farming created significant changes in the standards of living, social security, reproduction, and the sexual division of labor. With the strong social impact of commercial farming, many Kenyans are wondering whether they are materially better or worse off than they were thirty five years ago. One of the most evident ways in which commercial agriculture affects the Kenyan people is through ecological and land degradation. Due to the ever-increasing pressures put on the land, frequent aridity has led to greater risk of a bad harvest or even famine. Food relief to Kenya has become more common, therefore elevating the dependency on donor countries. Since a well-organized system of providing social security does not exist in Kenya, the best assurance of economic security comes through the ownership of land. In addition to the land security, commercial agriculture provides an inlet for added security through market extensions. Market extensions aid farmers and their families by providing loan and investment services. Unfortunately, the population boom in Kenya, as everywhere in Africa, means less land and agricultural opportunities; consequently, the increased rural density has forced people to seek work in the cities. Although the city dwellers have more control over their work conditions, they are by no means financially stable since the work will inevitably be in the informal sector. All the needs of the city dwellers must be met by cash payments, of which they rarely have enough. Perhaps commercial agriculture is not entirely to blame for the population boom. It could be considered, however, as a catalyst for industrializatio n. Industrialization coupled with commercial agriculture will exacerbate social tensions already in existence among the Kenyan people. Any shift towards higher productivity or income growth in the population as a whole must increase the range of wealth differences. Unfortunately, the economic gap between the North and South grows as wealth continues to transfer of the North's sector. The Natural Environment of the Gikuyu Farmer Gikuyuland makes up a large portion of the great East African plateau.