The Transition from Maize Production Systems to High-value Agriculture in Kenya

In Kenya, agriculture supports the livelihoods of close to 80 per cent of the rural population. The sector employs nearly 70 per cent of the national labour force through forward and backward linkages to manufacturing, trade and services and provides food and direct incomes to households. Eighty-five per cent of the rural population are small-scale farmers with land holdings of less than 2ha, with not more than 20 ruminant animals (mainly cattle, sheep and goats) and a few chickens per household. Mixed crop/livestock production systems in small-scale farms generally involve limited use of purchased inputs and modern technology.