the relationship between agriculture and malnutrition · tors, which are described in this report....
TRANSCRIPT
JOINT PROJECT MACHAKOS - KENYA
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
AGRICULTURE AND MALNUTRITION
ISHIC LIBEA3Y
KE - 1975.11
Wageningen The Netherlands
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS
IN THE MACHAKOS DISTRICT
Consultants' Report to
MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE, NAIROBI
October - December 1974
D
ROYAL TROPICAL INSTITUTE
Department of Agricultural Research
Amsterdam
The Netherlands
January 1975
JOINT PROJECT MACHAKOS -KENYA
The relationship between agriculture and malnutrition
Recommended development efforts in the Machakos District
Consultants Report to
MEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE, NAIROBI
October-December 197^
\ Scanned from original by 1SRIC - World Soil Information, as ICSU World Data Centre for Soils. The purpose is to make a safe depository for endangered documents and to make the accrued information available for consultation, following Fair Use Guidelines. Every effort is taken to respect Copyright of the , materials within the archives where the identification of the Copyright holder is clear and, where feasible, to contact the originators. For questions please contact [email protected] indicating the item reference number concerned.
ROYAL TROPICAL INSTITUTE
Department of Agricultural Research
AMSTERDAM
January 1975
a}S;
Table of contents
Page
1. 1.1. 1.2. 1.3.
PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
INTRODUCTION Project background Objectives of the mission Procedure
1
1
3
5 5 6 7
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA 8
3. 3.1. 3.2.
RESULTS OF THE AGRICULTURAL SURVEY Matungulu location or western "wet" area Mbiuni location or eastern "dry" area
10 10-
15
4. 4.1. 4.2.
4.3.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 18 Animal husbandry 18 The cultivation of food and cash crops, and the importance of growing drought resistant crops 19 Land management 20
RECOMMENDED DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS IN THE MACHAKOS DISTRICT 21
List of appendices
Appendix 1
Appendix 2
Appendix 3
Matungulu or "wet" location: main results of nutritional and agricultural survey Mbiuni or "dry" location: main results of nutritional and agricultural survey Map of study area
Preface
At the request of the Medical Research Centre, Nairobi, Kenya,
the Department of agricultural Research of the Royal Tropical
Institute in Amsterdam made available the services of its staff
members Dr. T.A. El Baradi and Ir. P.J. van Rijn to conduct
a study on the relationship between agriculture and malnutri
tion in the N.W. part of the Machakos District in Kenya as
well as to recommend development efforts in this area. Dr.
Baradi stayed in Kenya from the 27th of October to the 6th of
December, and Ir. van Rijn from the 27th of October to the
18th of November. The present report summarizing the findings
and conclusions obtained during this mission has been com
pleted in Amsterdam during December 197^ and the beginning of
January 1975.
Acknowledgements
It is with pleasure to mention the hospitality and co-operation
received from the staff of the Medical Research Centre, who
passed on to us the information on malnutrition as well as the
socio-economic data collected by them in the area under study.
In addition, the socio-economic work carried out by Dr. Heynen
and his undergraduates of the State University of Utrecht in
this area must be acknowledged» Dr. Wormer of the Planning
Division of the Ministry of Agriculture gave valuable assis
tance; he informed the other Divisions of this Ministry of the
objectives of this mission, and he organised a fruitful meeting
with Mr. Wameru, Research Officer of the Land and Farm Manage-
ment Division« Thanks are due to the National Agricultural
Laboratories, in particular Dr. Sombroek, Ir. Leyder and Ir.
van de Weg, for giving advice, borrowing equipment and ana-
lizing soil samples. Essential information was supplied by
the Divisional Officer, Mr. Ayah, and the Divisional Agricul
tural Officer, Mr. Nyagah, and fruitful discussions were held
with Prof. Contant, Prof, van Eynatten and Prof. Lorenzl of
the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Nairobi, as
well as with Ir. M.M. Veldman of the Farmers Training Centre,
and Mr. K. Kuiper of the Agricultural Finance Cooperation.
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Last but not least the cooperation must be mentioned of the farmers visited in the area under study, as well as the assistance of Mr. van Tilborgh of the Royal Tropical Institute who carried out the statistical analyses.
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Summary and recommendations
In parts of the Matungulu and Mbiuni locations, situated in
the nort-wèst of the Machakos District in Kenya, a medical
project, called JPM, is in progress to determine the morbidity
and mortality of children. The first results of this project
carried out by the Medical Research Centre in Nairobi showed
that malnutrition is common in the area, and the heed was felt
to study the impact of agricultural conditions on the welfare
of the people. The second objective was to formulate recommen
dations on development efforts for this area, which are based
on the data of the agricultural survey carried out during this
mission by the Department of Agricultural Research of the
Royal Tropical Institute in the Netherlands as well as on
nutritional work and preliminary socio-economic data collected
by the Medical Research Centre, and on first socio-economic
work conducted by Dr. Heynen and his undergraduates of the
University of Utrecht.
To meet the first objective, main agricultural data were collec
ted on 101 farms belonging to farmers whose children are in
spected regularly on the presence or absence of malnutrition
by the nutritionist of the Medical Research Centre. These
farms are located throughout the area under study.
The results of the survey carried out in the Matungulu lo
cation showed clearly that:
- the absence of cows on a farm is often associated with
malnutrition; and
- malnutrition is heavily linked with bad management, es
pecially on small farms.
The preliminary socio-economic surveys showed that the
yields of crops, such as the food crops maize, beans and
pigeon peas, are markedly lower in the Mbiuni location com
pared to those of the Matungulu location. Malnutrition appears
to occur more frequently in the Mbiuni location than in the
Matungulu locations, and is most frequent on farms smaller
than 1 ha. In the Mbiuni location it might be necessary to
grow more drought resistant food and fodder crops, such as
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Sorghum spp., and/or to introduce a drought resistant cash
crop such as sunflower.
As to second objective, viz. the formulation of recommenda
tions, it may be suggested that the médical project JPM
becomes a small regional development project. However, before
starting such a practical development plan, this agricultural
pilot study and the preliminary socio-economic surveys should
be followed by detailed agricultural and socio-economic stu
dies. The agricultural studies should include detailed work
on climate and soils, and the socio-economic studies should,
among others, supply data on non-agricultural incomes and
labour constraint. Furthermore, more studies on nutrition
are required.
No suggestions can be made at this stage about the set-up of
a regional development project, but it is clear that major
attention should be paid to extension work; many demonstra
tion trials will be necessary to show the findings of re
search on pastures and animal husbandry as well as on crop
adaptation and farm management.
It is recommended that the Medical Research Centre discusses
the future of JPM and the possibility of a regional develop
ment project in the area under study with the Ministry of
Agriculture as well as with other agronomic or economic or
ganisations such as the Faculty of Agriculture of the Uni
versity of Nairobi and the Institute for Development Studies
in Nairobi.
-5-
1. Introduction
1.1. Project background
The Joint Project Machakos (JPM) is in first instance a medical project, carried out by all sections of the Medical Research Centre in Nairobi to determine the morbidity and mortality of children in the N.W. part of the Machakos District in Kenya. Some of its main objectives are: (a) to obtain accurate data on births, deaths, and causes of
death for all age groups (mainly a demographic study); (b) to obtain accurate data on morbidity and mortality from
measles, whooping cough and other respiratory infections and from acute diarrhoeal disease in children 0-5 years of age; and
(c) to obtain accurate data on the nutritional status and dietary intake of children 0-5 years of age, and the influence it may have on the pattern of the diseases being studied.
Malnutrition and diseases related to it can be prevented if sufficient quantities of food are available. Unfortunately, the income per family is often too low in the Machakos District. The quantities of food raised are often insufficient, which means that the head of the family is forced to work elsewhere to obtain an additional income. However, even after enjoying this, the total income is sometimes not sufficient to buy the additional food needed, and in this respect it must be noted that also more data are necessary to determine the nutritional value of the food stuffs consumed by the farmers and their families. In certain areas, farmers are able to grow cash crops, but the earnings of these may be too small to buy their food, which might be expensive, especially in the dry season. In these cases it might be better to earmark only a limited area for growing cash crops, and to use a considerable part of their land for growing their own food crops. Because of the erratic rainfall, it might also be desirable to introduce more drought resistant crops, such as the food crop sorghum, and the oilseed crop sunflower, to be grown as a cash crop.
-6-
The above implies that there are many socio-economic as well as agricultural factors contributing to malnutrition and diseases related to it, and these must be studied first before advising on possible socio-economic and agricultural development efforts for this area. Dr. Heynen and some undergraduates of the State University of Utrecht, The Netherlands, have made a start in studying the socio-economic factors, such as total income at present and total income desired, education and age of heads of households, in cooperation with the Medical Research Centre in Nairobi, while Dr. T.A. El Baradi and Ir. P.J. van Rijn of the Department of Agricultural Research of the Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, have made a first start in studying the agricultural factors, which are described in this report.
1.2. Objectives of the mission
The first objective of the study was to determine if there is a relationship between agriculture and the occurrence of malnutrition and diseases related to it in parts of the Matungulu and Mbiuni locations, situated in N.W. Machakos District. The second objective was to formulate recommenda-, tions on development efforts for this area, based on the aggri-cultural data collected as well as on the socio-economic information received by the Medical Research Centre and Dr. Heynen and his undergraduates of the University of Utrecht.
-7-
1.3. Procedure
To determine the relationship between agriculture and the occurrence of malnutrition and diseases related to it, an agricultural survey was carried out in the study area of the Medical Research Centre, comprising parts of the Matungulu and Mbiuni locations. In each village of the area under study visits were paid to the farms of those farmers whose children are inspected regularly on the présence or absence of malnutrition by the nutritionist of the Medical Research Centre, Dr. Blankhart. In total, the farms of 101 households were inspected, which is about half the number of households examined by Dr. Blankhart.
Of each farm information was obtained on:
A. Size of pastures, and no. of goats, sheep, cows, and steers/bulls.
B. Size of arable land. C. Type of crops and acreage of these to be grown. D. Soils, subdivided into: a. slope;
b. colour; c. texture; d. sealing; e., surface stoniness; f. depth; g. type of terracing.
E. The presence or absence of fruit trees, a vegetable garden, a water well as well as the use of fertilizers and pest control.
F. The degree of land management, mainly based on method of ploughing, terracing, date of planting and manuring, as well as on weed control.
In addition, composite soil samples were taken in virtually each village, which will be analysed by the National Agricul-
r
tural Laboratories in due course. Therefore, the results of these analyses are not included in this report. Finally, some literature information could be collected to describe in some more detail the climate and soil conditions of this
-8-
and use could be made of the socio-economic data collected by the Medical Research Centre as well as by Dr. Heynen and his undergraduates to formulate more accurate recommendations on development efforts in this area.
2. Description of the study area
The study area is situated in the north-west of the Machakos District, which forms part of the Eastern Province of Kenya. This District lying east and south-east of Nairobi is classified into three ecological zones, viz. high, medium and low potential zones, comprising 10, 54, and 36% of the total area, respectively. The above classification is based on climate, soils, topography and vegetation, and is found in "A land system atlas of Western Kenya", made by Scott, R.M., Webster, R., and Lawrance, C.J., and published in 1971 in Christchurch, England.
The majority of the land in the study area falls within the medium potential zone, which is characterised by lack of available moisture. Because of this, crop production can be severely limited. However, application of proper soil conversation methods and cultivation of adapted crop varieties may reduce the risks of crop failures. Agriculture is only marginal in the low potential zone.
The study area is shown in Map 1. It is intersected by the Kanzalu range having an altitude of about 1500 m. The Matun-gulu location is found on the western side, and the Mbiuni location on the eastern side of the range. The Matungulu location is divided into Kingati and Kambusu sublocations, and the Mbiuni location into Katheka, Ulaani and Katitu sub-locations. The sublocations are again divided into villages. The total number of villages in the study area is 27.
Information on climatic factors in the study area is virtually absent: no records have been made of daily, monthly and annual amounts of rainfall during sufficiently long periods. It can be said that the area is characterised by having two rainy seasons, viz. the short rains during the period October-
-9-
December, and the long rains from mid-March to May. The date of rains is usually unreliable and rain falls in short spells of medium to high intensity (Luning, H.A. in "Land suitability evaluation on the basis of reconnaissance soil surveys: Land utilization types of the medium potential areas of Eastern Province, Kenya", Kenya Soil Survey Project S189/0W/HAL-22/10/1973). Luning also mentioned that as a rule of thumb about 300 mm of rain can be expected during the short rainy period, and 250-300 mm during the long rainy period. It is assumed that the western side receives on an annual average 200 mm more than the eastern side.
Data on the soils of the study area are very limited. The soils are mapped on a scale of 1:1,000,000, and the information on these is mainly based on aerial photo interpretation and limited field observations. This information is found in "The soils of the Nairobi-Thika-Yatta-Machakos area", made by Scott, R.M. in 1963, and published by the Department of Agriculture, Nairobi, as well as in the earlier mentioned "A land system atlas of Western Kenya". Very recently, in 1974, Mbuvi, J.P., van de Weg, R.F., and Braun, H.M.H, of the Kenya Soil Survey, Min. of Agriculture, National Agricultural Laboratories, made "A preliminary evaluation of the soils of North-Western Machakos District". Their information is based on aerial photo interpretation using maps having a scale of 1:50,000, and some field observations.
Based on own data collected during the mission, the following
description of the locations is given:
Matungulu location
This location varies in topography from gently undulating to undulating with slopes ranging mainly from 3 to 12%. In some areas slopes of more than 16% are found. The soils vary from reddish-yellow sandy clay loams to red-friable clays. They are generally deep (>50cm) and free from surface stoniness, have no surface stoniness, have no surface sealing, and do not show any signs of waterlogging. Since, furthermore, most of the area has been terraced, there is a good resistance erosion.
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Mbiuni location
This location is gently undulating to undulating with slopes
mainly ranging from 1 to 696. The soils are generally deep
(>50cm), though in some cases soil depth varies from shallow
(<20cm) to moderately deep (<50cm). The texture of the soil
is a red to reddish-brown sandy loam, underlain by a sandy
clay loam or a sandy clay. Surface sealing (with various thick
ness and strength) as well as surface stoniness are evident,
and terraces are generally poorly established. As a result,
erosion is pronounced in this location.
3. Results of the agricultural survey
Main agricultural data collected on each farm are listed
in the appendixes 1 and 2. In addition, the presence or ab
sence of malnutrition in each household is recorded in these
appendices. Appendix 1 deals with the Matungulu location,
and appendix 2 with the Mbiuni location. In chapter 2 is al
ready described that these areas differ in soil type and rain
fall, and it goes without saying that especially the rainfall
has a marked bearing on the levels of production per unit of
area. The results of the socio-economic survey carried out
by the Medical Research Centre showed that the production of
food crops such as maize and beans per household was markedly
higher in the "wet" Matungulu location than in the "dry"
Mbiuni location. During this survey no figures on yields could
be assessed, because the survey was carried out at the period
of planting the food crops.
3.1. Matungulu location or western "wet" area
The analysis of the results of the survey listed in
Appendix 1 showed clearly that:
- the absence of cows on a farm is often associated with mal
nutrition, especially on farms with bad management;
- malnutrition appears to be heavily linked with bad manage
ment, especially on small farms.
The above mentioned relationships between malnutrition and
animal husbandry and/or management are illustrated in the
following table.
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Table 1 Effect of milk supply (from cows on own farms) and management on malnutrition in the Matungulu location
I No. of households having one or more cows 27 No. of these households having malnutrition 7 (26%) No. of households having no cows 28 No. of households having malnutrition 14 (50%)
II No. of households having fair to good management 31 No. of these households having malnutrition 6 (1996) No. of households having poor management 24 No. of these households having malnutrition 15 (62%)
III No. of households having one or more cows and good management ; 17 No. of these households having malnutrition 3 (18%) No. of households having no cows and poor management 14 No. of these households having malnutrition 11 (79%)
Statistical analysis of I showed 1 = 2.43—> P»0.12; of II 2 = 8.92 -*P=0.003; and of III P<0.002.
It was surprising to learn that on certain farms as small as 0.3 ha or even smaller, and having no pastures or animals, no malnutrition was recorded. These farms, generally, have good management, but it is obvious that the households owning these farms cannot live from the produce of their farms alone, and that they have non-agricultural incomes.
The minimum area per household needed to raise the necessary amount of food crops, and/or to grow cash crops to obtain an accepted standard of living is not known. Dr. Luning assumed in his report mentioned in chapter 2 that on an average 2.8-4.8 ha arable land + pastures are needed for a household of about 5 persons. However, the yield levels per unit of area vary with soil structure, fertility, rainfall, etc., which implies that a marked smaller farming size per household will suffice in good agricultural areas, but that larger farms are required in marginal, agricultural areas.
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Table 2 shows that the size of arable land has no marked effect on the occurrence of malnutrition.
Table 2 Relationship between size of arable land and occurrence of malnutrition per household in the Matungulu location
Size of arable area
Malnutrition^~-~--^^^
<5600 m2 ^5600 m2 Total number of
households
No Yes
16 10
17 11
33 21
Total no. of households 26 28 54 (not sig
nificant
However, if only farms of 1 ha or larger are considered, it can be seen from Appendix 1 that only on 5 of the 15 farms malnutrition has been recorded. In these households malnutrition is caused mainly by hereditary diseases or social factors, while on farms with less than 1 ha arable land the main factors are: absence of cows, bad management, and/or not sufficient non-agricultural income, which is needed if the farm is too small.
The size of the areas used for growing the various crops has no significant effect on the occurrence of malnutrition, which is illustrated in the following table.
-13-
Table 3
Relationship between Size of cropped areas and occurrence
of malnutrition per household in the Matungulu location
£ize maize area
Malnut r i t ioS ^^
< 1335 m 2 > 1335 m2 Total no. of households
No Yes
16 11
15 11
31 22
Total no. of households
§lze beans area
Malnut ri tiorT~--- _
27
< 919 m 2
26
> 919 m2
53 (not significant)
Total no. of households
No Yes
15 13
16 9
31 22
Total no. of households
Size pigeon peas area
Malnutrition"---—^^
28
<600 m 2
25
y 600 m2
53 (not significant)
Total no. of households
No Yes
18 13
13 9
31 22
Total no. of Households
Size coffee area
Malnutrition^---
31
<1000 m 2
22
>1000 m2
53 (not signi ficant)
Total no. of households
No Yes
15 13
16 9
31 22
To tail' no. of Households
Cassava + batatas ,+ yams area
Malnut ri tion~"~---^
28
<°
25
>°
53 (not signi ficant)
Total no. of households
No Yes
16 13
15 9
31 22
Total no.?.of. ,, .„_, households 29 24 53 (not signi
ficant
-14-
In contrast to the size of the cropped areas, the total
number of food and cash crops as well as fruit trees and
vegetables has a significant effect on the occurrence of
malnutrition, which is shown in Table 4.
Table 4
Effect of diversity of products per household
on malnutrition in the Matungulu location
Number of different products
Malnutrition""**""—-•—*_ _ < 6 >6
Total no. of households
No Yes
14 17
17 5
31 22
Total no. of households 31 22 53 (signifi-
, cant: ^ - 4.22 P=0
The slope itself has no effect on the occurrence of malnutri
tion, which is shown in Table 5.
Table 5
Effect of slope of land per household on
malnutrition in the Matungulu location
Slope
Malnutrition^^-^,^,^^
(7% )l% Total no. of households
No Yes
14 9
17 13
31 22
Total no. of households 23 30 53 (not sign
ficant)
It was realised that good farming can be practised on even
rather steep slopes if the land has been properly terraced.
This factor has been taken into account by judging the de
gree of land management as well as the fact if the soil is
either stony or not, and can be ploughed to shallow or deep
depth, because of the presence or absence of a hard pan.
In addition, the following factors were considered by di
viding land management into poor and fair to good:
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method of ploughing, date of planting, manuring, and weed control. Finally, it must be noted that in judging land management also some attention has been paid to the lay-out of the farm, viz.: proper management was considered to be hindered if the farm was divided into several plots at considerable distances from each other.
3.2. Mbiuni location or eastern "dry" area
In contrast to the western "wet" area no relationships were found between malnutrition and animal husbandry and/or management, which are illustrated in the following table.
Table 6 Effect of milk supply (from cows on own farms) and management on malnutrition in the Mbiuni location
No. of households having one or more cows 34 No. of these households having malnutrition 16 (4796)
No. of households having no cows 12 No. of these households having malnutrition 4 (33%)
No. of households having fair to good management 23 No. of these households having malnutrition 9 (39%)
No. of households having poor management .23 No. of these households having malnutrition 11 (48%)
No. of households having one or more cows and good
management 18 No. of these households having malnutrition 9 (50%)
No. of households having no cows and poor management. 7 No. of these households having malnutrition 4 (57%)
Just as in the western "wet" area the size of the cropped areas had no marked effect on the occurrence of malnutrition. It has been recorded that the areas used for growing the food crops are larger: the medium size of the maize area being
2 2 3700 m ; of the beans area 1500 m ; and of the pigeon peas area 1950 m . The Mbiuni location appeared to be too dry for growing coffee in general; only five farmers grow coffee,
-16-
and like in the western "wet" area the growing of this crop does not influence positively the decrease of malnutrition. On two farms cotton is grown, but, because of the erratic and low rainfall, only low yields are obtained. The number of grown products, which include fruits and vegetables, is lower in this dry location than in the western "wet" area, and no significant effects of this diversity on the occurrence of malnutrition has been recorded in this area.
The effect of size of arable land per household on the occur rence of malnutrition is listed in Table 7.
Table 7 Effect of size arable area on malnutrition in Mbiuni area
Size of arable area
Malnutri tioïT -—._^
1 ha 1 ha Total no. of households
No Yes
10
13
15 8
25 21
Total no. of households 23 23 46 (not signi
ficant;
Although the statistical analysis shows that there is no significance, it can be noted that on large farms less malnutrition is recorded than on small farms. From the socio-economic surveys, carried out by the Medical Research Centre and by Dr. Heynen and his undergraduates, it was noted that the yields per unit of area are markedly lower in the dry location compared to those of the wet location, especially those of the beans. It is obvious that in the Mbiuni location lack of sufficient rainfall is the overriding factor in explaining the low yields of these crops, which can be raised only to some extent by carrying out good farm management. The improvement of farming is, therefore, more difficult in this location than in the wet areas, where markedly higher yields can be obtained by conducting proper agricultural practices.
-17-
As mentioned in the beginning of this subchapter, the presence of cows on a farm does not decrease malnutrition, which is in contrast to the result obtained in the wet area. No satisfactory explanation can be given as yet, although it is evident that the milk supply of cows is much lower in the dry than in the wet area, it was noted during the survey that, generally, the number of cows per household was higher in the dry than in the wet location.
-18-
4. Discussion and conclusions
The results of the survey show clearly that in the Matungulu location attention must be paid to the extension of animal husbandry and the improvement of land management, while in the Mbiuni location emphasis must be laid in first instance on the introduction of drought resistant food and/or cash crops as well as on improvement of animal husbandry and the growing of more fodder crops.
However, before a start is made with agricultural and animal husbandry improvements, land adjudication (allocation) and registration must find place, and perhaps it might be possible that some land consolidation (re-allotment) occurs, so that each farm has only a minimum number of fields, but of workable size close to each other.
4.1. Animal husbandry
Most probably there are not many prospects in improving dairy cattle in the Màchakos District by means of breeding in the short run, but this possibility can never be excluded in the long run. However, the efficiency of having cattle can be improved to a marked extent, if precautions are taken for having fodder virtually the whole year around. The first step is by planting the borders of the farming areas as well as the borders of the terraces with grasses, such as Penniseteum spp, Panicum spp. or Sorghum spp. Furthermore, the cultivation of fodder crops, such as Sorghum spp. should be promoted, and parts of crops not used for human consumption could serve as food for animals. Trials should be conducted to find out suitable grasses or fodders which are capable to survive dry periods. Finally, attention should be paid to controlled grazing (enclosures, rotating cattle, if applicable).
Besides cows, goats and sheep have a very useful function in providing meat for the family. According to Ir. Veldman of the Farmers Training Centre the goats could become even more important if goats could be bred producing more meat, and especially more milk. First breeding experiments with goats
-19-
in Kenya, carried out by the Farmers Training Centre, showed that crossing of a meat goat with a milk goat resulted in a hybrid producing more meat than the meat goat and delivering about 1 1. of milk per day. As to sheep, Mr. Veldman mentioned that no breeding work has been carried out with these animals in Kenya, but that there are indications that this work could be of importance in terms of increasing meat and milk. During this survey no data were collected on poultry, but it has been noted that on virtually each farm at least 10 chickens are found. Probably, it deserves consideration to examine the possibilities of improving poultry farming. In this connection it might be worth mentioning that farmers should be encouraged to consume a certain amount of their eggs and chickens, instead of selling the whole produce.
Finally, it must be noted that if animal husbandry has to be extended, attention should be paid to a better water supply the whole year around: more wells and ponds (dams) are necessary, especially in the drier parts of the locations.
4.2. The cultivation of food and cash crops, and the importance of growing drought resistant crops
The main food crops are maize, beans, cowpeas, pigeon peas, batatas, and to some extent in the wetter areas cabbages and yams. The food crop cassava and the fruit trees, such as papayas, bananas and mangoes are planted often at the drainage side of the border of terraces. Passion fruit is also found in the wet area, and sugar-cane, and tomatoes are grown in swampy land in the valleys. The main cash crop in the wetter part of the area is coffee, while sisal is found in the whole area, mainly planted as a fence crop. Castor plants are growing semi-wild, but sometimes they are planted as a fence crop, or at the drainage side of the border of terrace. Guava is also grown to a certain extent in both areas. Its cultivation should be encouraged, because it is a very good source of vitamin C, and contains also vitamin A. Tobacco is found to a minor extent in the drier parts. However, it must be noted that no sharp distinction can be made between food and cash crops.
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-21-
planting the food crops such as maize, beans and pigeon peas. It was also noted that there are no sufficient ploughs and/or oxen in the area. This implied that many farmers could not hire these at the right time, which resulted in a delay of land preparation and planting. Because of lack of labour, planting is carried out often in not well prepared fields in order at least to utilize the first rains as much as possible.
Mr. Kolkena, one of the undergraduates working with Dr. Heynen, stated on 12/8/1974 in his first interim report dealing with socio-economic aspects of this area that many heads of households have, in addition to farming, other employment to obtain at least a total net income of 1500 Kenyan shillings per year, which is considered to be the minimum for a household of 5-7 persons. However, it goes without saying that it is virtually impossible to carry out both jobs to full satisfaction, and, as noted above, farm management is often neglected. In further agricultural and socio-economic studies detailed attention must be paid to this labour constraint.
5. Recommended development efforts in the Machakos District
It may be suggested that the medical project JPM becomes a small regional development project, rather than just a case study. The justification for this is based on the fact that already much basic information has been collected on health and socio-economic conditions in the Matungulu and Mbiuni locations, and that the study described in this report has determined the relationship between agriculture and malnutrition in this area. It is realised that the JPM study area (or any other area for that matter) cannot be considered representative for the country as a whole, but hypotheses could be formulated as a result of the findings in Machakos, which could be tested in other areas of Kenya.
Successful interdisciplinary research is essential for regional development, but is also very difficult. JPM could serve as a test case for this type of research. However, before starting such a practical development plan, this agricultural pilot study and the preliminary socio-economic surveys should
-22-
be followed by detailed agricultural and socio-economic studies, particularly with the aim to determine the area required per household to obtain an accepted standard of living. Detailed soil and climatological studies are needed to determine, among others, the choice of crops, the desired farming systems, and the required size of arable and pasture areas per household based on improved production levels. Much more information is required on non-agricultural incomes and labour constraint, availability of water by means of constructing wells or ponds, as well as storage, processing and/or marketing of crops. In addition, nutritional studies are necessary to determine the desired consumption patterns.
No suggestions can be made at this stage about the set-up of a regional development project, but it is obvious that major attention should be paid to extension work, and that land allocation and registration, and possible some land consolidation must find place in first instance. Also credit to small farmers should be taken into account. The extension work should, as mentioned earlier, include the findings of the agricultural and socio-economic studies as well as many demonstration trials based on animal husbandry work carried out by the Farmers Training Centre and other cattle and pasture organisations, on crop adaptation work carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Nairobi, and on farm management work conducted by the last-mentioned organisations.
It is realised that in general little is known about the impact of agricultural conditions on the welfare of the people, and it has been experienced that there is considerable interest in a follow-up of the agronomic and social-economic studies, combined with medical studies, especially in the field of nutrition. For instance, Prof. Lorenzl of the Farm Management Division of the University of Nairobi has already mentioned that he would like to participate with his undergraduates in these studies. Students registering for a Master's degree are available, but because the student projects are being prepared between December 1974 and March 1975, a decision on further studies has to be reached soon.
-23-
It goes without saying that the Medical Research Centre is anxious to combine the findings of their medical and nutritional studies with those of the agricultural and socio-economic studies, and that it will give every assistance to the organisations carrying out the agronomic and socio-economic follow-up. Therefore, it is recommended that the Medical Research Centre discusses the future of JPM and the possibility of a regional development project in the area under study with the Ministry of Agriculture. The above-mentioned studies and the development plan should be organised and coordinated by this Ministry or one of the other agricultural or economic organisations such as the Institute for Development Studies or the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Nairobi. Finally, it must be noted that if requested by the Kenyan Government, the Department of Agricultural Research of the Royal Tropical Institute is able to assist in coordinating this work and/or to carry out some of the studies, such as a detailed soil survey under auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Soil Survey.
A P i - i ö i t a x / . j .
îîatun«ulu-or "wet" l o c a t i o n : main i-errults? of > ï u t r i tion::.] and a g r i c u l t u r a l s u r v e y .
Houeob o ld No. M a l n u t r i t;ion S i z e a r a b l e Co i-rs Maria ;e (fiant S e r i a l Code no y 0 s a r e a i n ha no y e s poor ta%v/c;ood
1 1-1-001 _ O.70 1 1 '. 2 1_1_025 1 0 .13 1 1 3 1-1-065 — 0 . 1 0 1 1 4 1-1-009 1 0 .90 1 1 5 1-2-009 — 3 .00 1 1 6 1-2-065 - 4 . 3 8 1 1 7 1-2-097 - 0 .40 1 1
a 1-2-113 - 0 .55 1 1 9 1-3-041 1 1 .00 1 1
10 1-3-057 - 0 .54 1 1 i i 1-3-105 - 0 . 4 0 1 1 12 1-4-001 1 0 . 4 0 1 1 13 1-4-033 1 0 .38 1 1 14 1-4-049 1 1.44 1 1 15 1-4-065 - 4 . 8 0 1 1 16 1-4-129 - 7 . 9 0 1 1 17 1-4-145 — 0 . 8 0 1 1 18 I - 5 - 0 6 5 • — 0 . 3 0 1 1 19 ' 1-5-089 1 O.69 1 1 20 I - 6 - 0 2 5 ~ 1 .80 1 1 21 . I - 6 - 0 6 5 1 0 . 8 0 1 1 22 1-6-105 1 0 . 7 8 1 1 23 1-7-065 1 O.06 1 1 24 1-7-113 1 O.80 1 1 25 1-7-145 - 1.30 1 1 26 3-1-017 — 0 .60 1 1 27 3-1-049 1 2 . 0 0 1 1 28 3-1-065 1 O.I7 1 1 29 3 - I - 0 8 9 - 0 .12 1 1 30 3-1-105 — 0 . 3 0 1 1 31 3 - I - I 2 9 - 0 .26 1 1 32 3 -1-153 — O.25 1 1 33 3 -2 -001 — 0.Ö0 1 1 34 3-2-057 — 5 . 3 0 1 1 35 3-2-097 - 0 . 2 0 1 1 36 3-2-121 1 1 .00 1 1 37 3-2-145 1 3 . 2 0 1 1 3« 3-3-017 - O.6O 1 1 39 3 -3 -041 — 0 .35 1 1 40 3-3-065 — 0 .38 1 1 41 3-3-O81 1 0 . 1 8 1 1 42 3-3-105 — 0 .71 1 1 43 3-3-129 1 0 .88 1 1 44 3-3-169 1 0 . 3 3 1 1 45 3 -4 -041 - O.29 1 1 46 3 -4-073 — 0 .18 1 1 47 3 -4 -121 1 O.06 1 1 48 3-4-137 - 0 .06 1 1 49 3 -5 -001 - O.90 1 1 50 3-5-049 - 1*09 1 1 51 3-5-065 - 2 . 3 2 1 1 52 3 -5 -081 1 0 . 1 8 1 1 53 3-5-097 1 0 .12 1 1 54 , 5 -6 -017 - 1 .13 1 1 55 5 - 6 - 0 3 3 - - 1 1
T o t a l 34 21 5 8 . 4 1 28 27 24 31
Mean size arable area in ha= I.08.
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3.P.M. A.U.B
Joint Project Machakos - Kern
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AGRICULTURE AND MALNUTRITION
Recommended development efforts in the Machakos District
Addendum
On page 3» lines 4 and 5, and on page 5, and 6, it is mentioned that JPM is carried out to determine "the morbidity and mortality of children": this must be changed into "the morbidity and mortality of a number of acute infectious diseases among young children"„
On page 5, line 18, the sentence "Malnutrition and diseases related to it can be prevented if sufficient quantities of food are available", should be changed into: "Malnutrition and diseases related to it might be prevented,.,,..".
On page 8, line 279 "Kingati" should be changed into "Kingoti"
On page 8, line 30, "27" should be changed into "29"o
On page 10, line 24, "this survey" should be changed into "our survey".
On page 12, line 15, delete "hereditary diseases".
On page 16, lines 21 and 22, delete "Dr Heynen and his undergraduates",