Browsing by Author "Kayago Kinara, Raphael"

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    Sustainable Agriculture and Integral Rural Development through Participation
    (Tangaza University College, 2001-03) Kayago Kinara, Raphael
    Agricultural farming has been in practice since the discovery of the iron- age period. Prior to this period, people were hunters, gatherers and fishermen. With the discovery of iron, implements were shaped in such a way that to clear, dig and till the land was made possible. This is the scientific explanation of how agriculture started. In the Bible, it is shown that God instituted agriculture when He placed the first couple in the Garden of Eden. After Adam and Eve had sinned, they were summoned to work, toil and sweat in the garden before they would get what to eat. In Africa, the traditions show that in some cultures pure arable farming was practised. Others were pastoralists and nomads. Still others practised both animal rearing and the growing of crops. Traditionally, some agricultural systems that were popular have disappeared over time because they would not be sustained for a variety of reasons. Some have been sustained for a number of years and are still flourishing. The question we ask here is, are the flourishing systems viable for sustainable agriculture? Is sustainable agriculture a system that may allow rural development that is both economically profitable and environmentally compatible? In the Old Testament (0T), in the book of Genesis, agriculture is not singled out whether it is an occupation of the poor or the rich people. The whole family, the society is involved in it. In the latter part of the OT, that is, during the prophetic time, agriculture is associated miith the poor people. In the New Testament (NT), it is not apparent N‘hether farming was an activity of the poor or the rich people. What is shown is that those who were poor served as slaves in the farms of the rich people. In the context of the OT, we may not deny the aspect of agricultural sustainability since all factors of production were constant and available. The same case applies to the traditional African agriculture. Sustainability was assured since factors( soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing) that caused unsustainability had not cropped in. In agriculture, sustainability is a system in which a farmer is equipped continuously with the capacities for managing the factors of production namely, land, labour and capital. This continuity is there with increasing efficiency to satisfy the ever-changing needs and circumstances while maintaining the natural resource base. Agriculture is currently not sustainable because it generates environmental degradation, threatening crop production, animal rearing as well as human existence while causing imbalance in natural forest resources traditionally regarded as renewable. The problems of agricultural sustainability are linked in a critical framework such that to draw a distinction is not very clear. These problems include poverty, deforestation, fuelwood exhaustion, overgrazing, use of crop residues, soil erosion, flooding and accumulation of chemicals in the soil. Therefore, the topic of sustainable agriculture and rural development in participation is of high priority in all countries of the world, whether they are developed or developing in their recent economies. Any changes that alter the favourable conditions for agriculture upsets the whole system of its sustainability. The methodology used in this essay is the integration of secondary data through reading and primary data through interviewing of people already teaching and practising sustainability in agricultural activities and rural development. According to the methodology of see judge and act, this essay is the judge' part of the fact finding report as experienced at Lare division- Nakuru Diocese during field attachment. The choice of this topic is to address the issues of sustainability in agriculture and rural development. It seems that sustainability has been looked at from two sides. There are those who talk of sustainable agriculture and leave a side sustainable development. For us in this essay we deal with both. This is because sustainability to be achieved, the lives of people must be improved for the better and in a continuous process. In essence this is the same time the resources of agricultural development must be carried out without depleting them, but assuring their renewability for the present and future generations. Other reason for choosing this topic is because agricultural activities that are carried out in rural Kenya contribute to unsustainability. The natural resources (water, forests, soils and animals) are diminishing their potentiality at a higher rate with no signs of renewability. Chapter One is a brief background of Lare Integrated Extension Project and causes of agricultural impoverishment in Kenya. Chapter Two highlights the concept of sustainability in agriculture and in development. Discussed are the issues of rural agricultural development through participation and the contribution of agriculture to the economy of Kenya. Therein mentioned is the concept of gender and agricultural development. In the third chapter, theological reflections on agriculture in the OT, in the NT, on the social teaching of the church and pastoral approaches to agriculture are discussed. Chapter Four has recommendations, challenges and conclusion remarks. Lastly, is the bibliography and the appendixes.