Commercialization of agriculture: economic and health implications for the household in Mumias Division,Kakamega District

Abstract

This study was done in the out growers, sugar scheme in Mumias Division. The study was prompted by the general outcry about food shortage in the Division. It was argued by administrators and scholars that the agro-industry is accountable for food deficits. Barclay (1977), Mwandhihi (1985) and Owinyi (1977) have indicated in their scholarlY work that since the establishment of the agro-industry, in the early 1970s, there has been a shift of attention and resources to sugar cane production to the disadvantage of food crop production. The population of Mumias has ever since relied on purchased food that is imported from other parts of the country. Furthermore, malnutrition is a problem that has been noted in Mumias and its prevalence is evidenced by the presence of the Rehabilitation Centre in Mumias township. This study, therefore, set out to investigate the extend to which sugar cane farming has affected food crop production and diversity, nutrition and health status of the household in Mumias.Taking an anthropological approach, the study examines the cultural aspects of nutrition and health.The nutritional status of children aged five years and below is used as the health indicator for the nutritional status of the household. Apparently, land shortage coupled with ecological and natural phenomena as well as cultural constraints emerges as a key issue in the causality of food deficits.