A study to investigate the use of agricultural research as a tool for poverty reduction in Muranga county

Abstract

This study has attempted to explain that maximizing the contribution of agricultural research with a view of reducing poverty, requires focusing both on improving productivity and ensuring this use is sustainable and equitable. This means looking beyond direct impacts and to maximize agriculture's role in wider economic growth and as a source of livelihood for the impoverished people living in Muranga County. This study used the term sustainable agriculture to cover the productive use of land, water, and other natural resources. Thus it is not limited to crops and livestock but includes fisheries, aquaculture, forestry, and wildlife thus enhances opportunities for agricultural research to contribute to sustainable development, and ensures wealth creation and improved livelihoods for the people living in Muranga. In Muranga, the poor spend much of their income on food, depend primarily on labor earnings, and tend to reside in marginal agricultural areas. To reduce poverty, agricultural research should aim to ensure adequate food supplies by developing yield-increasing agricultural technologies, to increase labor demand by developing labor-using agricultural technologies and to develop agricultural technologies suitable for marginal areas. According to the IMF Investment Program for Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth and Employment Creation in Kenya 2003-2007 report, increased agricultural productivity is closely related with the speed of poverty reduction. The direct effects through lower food prices, increased farm incomes, and more jobs on farms are well understood. Furthermore, the sustainable management and use of renewable natural resources is important for achievement of growth and livelihoods for poor people. This is through their direct productive use (e.g. forestry and fisheries), and also in terms of this impact on the environment - such as on water and energy, on which growth in other sectors is dependent. This document will be organized as follows: The introductory chapter described the research background, problem definition, objectives of the study, significance of the study, research justification and the limitations. Chapter 2 focused on the literature review. Chapter 3 described the research methodology and data collection, in chapter 4 the data w,.as analyzed and interpreted and in the final chapter I gave the summary of findings and the conclusions.