Structural changes in small scale farms as the initial Factor of rural development the case of Nyeri district, Kenya

Abstract

The tremendous population growth and the subsequent dwindling of farm size in Kenya has led to serious problems in the national economy. There are more mouths to feed but the arable land is diminishing from the excessive use of minerals therein leading to a reduction in food production. There is, therefore, an immediate need for researchers and planners to consider every available means of feeding the fast growing population. This study is concerned with a number of agricultural improving innovations which are considered to be practically feasible and socially acceptable on Kenyan small-scale farms. The smallholders form the bulk of the farmers in Kenya and it is in the smallholder farm areas that the greatest potential for raising the levels of living for the majority of Kenyans exists. The significance of the acceptance on innovations compared with other factors of smallholder production is determined through the use of correlation and regression analyses. The study also attempts to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of these innovations with a view to accelerating and improving the diffusion process. It is hoped that these research findings may become an effective means of fostering rapid economic growth and simultaneously contribute to the social goals of (ii) expanding employment opportunities in the process of raising food production in the country