Description and comparison of the factors affecting production and management practices in two ecologically different agro-pastoral communities of Makueni district, Kenya
department or school: Land and Food Systems, Faculty of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Gitunu, Anthony Mwai Macharia
issued: 2009-02-24T00:00:00
issued: 1994
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: During the months of April through July 1991 and June through July and 1992, a study was conducted to describe and compare the primary factors that affect management practices in two ecological agro—pastoral communities (Kasikeu: eco—zone IV and Mtito-Andei: eco-zone V) in Makueni district of Kenya. Sample families were chosen from Kasikeu (n=32) and Mtito Andei (n=31). A questionnaire was used for filling in the information as perceived and given by the respondents. Family heads were the interviewees but where they were absent, wives or resident sons represented them. The agro-pastoralists of Kasikeu and Mtito-Andei belong to a major bantu tribe called Akamba and generally have the same traditional and cultural background. The two communities therefore generally practised similar farm production activ ities regardless of their land ecological potential. The two communities were also affected more or less similarly by factors such as human population pressure, intro duction of a cash economy, education and amenities associated with sedentarization. Generally these factors have caused the agro-pastoralists to adopt diversified lifestyles which were normally not adopted in the old traditional systems. Such practices include habitation of tsetse fly infested areas, change of land tenure, adoption of sedentary lifestyle, use of cash as a basis for most transactions, use of livestock manure and chemicals to improve crop and livestock production, adoption of commercial horticultural farming, change of dietary habits, engagement in various small—scale business activities, and emphasis on child education and training. Albeit the differences in ecological potential of the study areas, management practices and other behaviours were similar in both study areas (eco—zones). In a few cases however, differences in the management levels existed between the two communities. For instance, the proportions of livestock owned in terms of cattle, sheep, goats, chickens, rabbits and duck…
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/4988
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note: Description and Comparison of the Factors AffectingProduction and Management Practices in Two EcologicallyDifferent Agro-Pastoral Communities of Makueni District,Kenya.byAnthony Mwai Macharia GitunuDip. (Range Management), Egerton College, Njoro, Kenya, 1976B. Sc. (Range Science), Utah State University, USA, 1982A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OFTHE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREEOF MASTER OF SCIENCEinTHE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES(Department of Plant Science)We accept this thesis as conformingto the required standardTHE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIAMarch 1994J Anthony Mwai Macharia Gitunu, 1994In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanceddegree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make itfreely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensivecopying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of mydepartment or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying orpublication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my writtenpermission.(Signature)__________________________Department of SC I C eThe University of British ColumbiaVancouver, CanadaDate Y14’RC1 1-i- Th’. /99 L/DE-6 (2)88)abstractDuring the months of April through July 1991 and Junethrough July and 1992, a study was conducted to describe andcompare the primary factors that affect management practicesin two ecological agro—pastoral communities (Kasikeu: eco—zoneIV and Mtito-Andei: eco-zone V) in Makueni district of Kenya.Sample families were chosen from Kasikeu (n=32) and MtitoAndei (n=31). A questionnaire was used for filling in theinformation as perceived and given by the respondents. Familyheads were the interviewees but where they were absent, wivesor resident sons represented them.The agro-pastoralists of Kasikeu and Mtito-Andei belongto a major bantu tribe called Akamba and generally have thesame traditional and cultural background. The tw…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 1994-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0087435
language: eng
degree discipline: Plant Science
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/4988