Annual Report SR-CRSP SOCIOLOGY

Kenya Dual Purpose Goat Component (KDPG)

III Training and other contributions

In the U.S.

The SR-CRSP project is not currently funding training of graduate students through this program. A research assistant at Katumani is being funded by University of Missouri. Ms. Grace Njeru was field assistant for the impact assessment in Machakos before coming to Missouri to complete her undergraduate degree. We mention them here because they are pursuing degrees which is part of University of Missouri's and SR-CRSP objectives of institutional strengthening and collaboration.

Short term in Kenya

Elizabeth Wekesa was involved in the planning and executions of several PRAs in the Coast area. Lutta Muhammad and Francis Asambu were involved in three training workshops in methods of socio-economics evaluation of technology for smallholders.

Other Contributions

Environmental: Introduction of livestock is carried out with a supporting package to avoid the negative effects encountered in some areas as a result of overgrazing.

Agricultural Sustainability: The impact assessment of the KDPG is intended to assess the sustainability of this package in household peasant production systems.

Contributions to U.S. Agriculture: research experience in interdisciplinary research is crucial to sustainable production systems design in the U.S.

Contributions to host country: introduction of an economic enterprise to areas that are in transition to market economies fosters economic development. Collaborative research with KARI scientists strengthens both U.S. and Kenyan research institutions.

Linkages: These are being established with NGOs such as HPI and KREP (A Kenyan Rural Enterprise Program that promotes micro-enterprise development).

Gender analysis: our household level analysis includes intrahousehold allocation of resources and income domains, as well as decision making.

Collaboration: The Sociology project bases its research in collaboration between Kenyan and U.S. scientists, and among all disciplines participating in the component.

Support for free markets and broad based economic growth: increasing net in kind and cash income contributes to the welfare of families and enables them to accumulate and diversify to other economic activities, facilitating the development of demand, crucial in economic development.

Contribution and compliance with mission objectives: micro-enterprise development is being emphasized by the USAID Kenya Mission. Our research is looking into privatization and community organizations, as well as safety-net mechanisms that will contribute producers participation in the markets.

Concern for individuals: The focus is on peasant household families, and the purpose is to increase their welfare.

Support for democracy: improving the economic and nutritional well being of families through the KDPG increases their ability to participate in the economy. The KDPG has also increased the ability of farmers to organize and seek other projects.