INTEGRATED FARMING SYSTEMS FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE LAKE VICTORIA REGION OF WESTERN KENYA: A REVIEW
NYANJAGE M. O., NYALALA S. P. O., OCHIENG J. A. M., LIU G.
Abstract
About 75% of people living along the Lake Victoria region
are very poor and need help to improve their livelihoods. Poverty reduction
strategy focuses on their capabilities to avoid or limit their deprivation.
Increase in the rural people's income generation capacity is approached through
an integrated rural development strategy addressing aspects of agroforestry,
crop and livestock production and strengthening group organisations. Poverty
is addressed by applying several technologies in areas of soil and water conservation,
'greening' of earth dams and riverine ecosystems, irrigation, pest management,
crop diversification, postharvest handling, agro-processing, trading and marketing.
To disseminate these technologies, the projects use various approaches such
as training and awareness creation through field days, public meetings, farm
visits, on-station demonstration plots/nurseries. Individual farmers, groups,
opinion leaders and schools are also involved in the projects to undertake these
activities.
A wide variety of drought tolerant/fast growing tree and crop species from local and exotic sources are introduced and tested. New varieties with superior characteristics are developed and recommendations made on strategies to improve farming systems with the objective of uplifting the livelihoods of rural people in the area.
Key Words:
sustainable rural development, poverty reduction, food security, capacity building,
integrated farming systems, agroforestry, Western Kenya