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Importance of Agriculture

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Importance of Agriculture
THE NEED TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION FOR WOMEN FARMERS IN KENYA

BY
MUOKI BENEDICT KIILU
REG NO: X75/27627/2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT iii
CHAPTER ONE 1
1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 Background to the Problem 1
1.2 The problem statement 2
1.3 Objectives of the Study 2
1.4 Hypotheses of the Study 3
1.5 Research Questions 3
CHAPTER TWO 4
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 4
REFERENCES 5

ABSTRACT
To ensure that there is a significant drop in poverty rates in developing countries, moreso the ones dependent directly on agriculture as their backbone of their vulnerable economy, women farmers need to be directly involved. Extensions programs play a crucial development role in reducing poverty and incorporating women who are the heart of the society is technically hitting the nail on the head.

CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Problem
In many developing economies, improvements in the productivity in the agricultural sector are directly proportional to economic growth. Economic growth (Levine, 1997:689) is mainly measured by gross domestic product which is generally accepted as the indicator of standard of living. An increase in economic growth implies an increase in real output and improvement in the standard of living and reduction in poverty. Absolute poverty is regardless concentrated among women, in rural areas, who are left by their spouses who leave for urban centres (i.e. Rural-Urban migration). Focus on these women by enabling them to practice efficient agriculture skills is a strategy for poverty reduction.

Development specialists have advocated for successful agricultural-extension program for agriculture sector to ensure yields and quality for the final products from the farms are marketable and in plenty. This practise has been praised for playing crucial role in most multilateral and bilateral development agencies. Women are seemed as the success ship out of the menace of poverty because for example, in sub-Saharan



References: Levin R. (1997). ‘Financial development and economic growth: Views and agenda’. Journal of Economic Literature; Vol. 35; 688 -726 World Bank, World Bank Agricultural Extension projects in Kenya, Washington D.C World Bank, 1999. World Bank, World Development Report, 2008. Sachs C. (1983). ‘The invisible farmers: Women in Agriculture. Christopher U. (1996). ‘Gender, agricultural production and the theory of the household. Gladdwin, C. H. & Della McMillan (1989). ‘Iss a turn around in Africa possible without helping African women to farm’. Economic Development and cultural changes 37,

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