PLanning For Rural Development With Special Reference To The Provision Of Energy In Gaichanjiru Location. Muranga District

Abstract

The maln focus of the study is on the role energy plays in rural development. Kenya continously recognises the role played by rural areas in national development and therefore the study examines the current energy situation in the location with respect to the various linkages energy has with other basic needs. The study underlines such aspects as accessibility, availability, quantities and qualities of woodfuel and location of areas as important in the acquisition of woodfuel. The study also establishes that energy supply is a constraint in the rural development process. It is shown that the problem of rural development in the location revolves around the predominance of agriculture in a situation of land scarcity and fragmentation in the face of increasing population. It is argued that before rural development can advance sufficiently to absorb surplus rural populations the aim of rural development should be to efficiently organise resources so that they can irtcreasingly contribute to comprehensive development in the rural areas. The study also shows that the provision of energy takes away a big 'portion of family incomes and this creates a conflict with the provision of other basic needs. The study also shows that increased cultivation of the land and increased population growth and consequent land fragmentation has led to poor agricultural production The study has found that people are increasingly walking longer distances to get fuelwood. They are using inferior types of fuelwood and indeed agricultural residues and this further contributes to low agricultural production. Further it has been found that fuelwood will continue to be important in the location at least in the short run. The study has also underlined the need for development without destruction. Towards these problems the study has proposed and recommended ways of maximising on the utlisation of existing resources within the study area through conservation. Measures that are suggested include:- agroforestry, family planning and fuel substitution amongst others. The study also calls on the Government to subsidise the pri ce of "jikos" in order to allow for faster' diffusion of the technologies because presently the prices of the "jikos" are beyond the economic capability of the people. It also calls on the government to train more agricultural personnel especially for followup purposes. The study further calls for the strengthening of the service centre strategy to enhance rural development. The study finaly suggests follow up research