This book examines the living conditions of farm labourers in Trans Nzoia, one of Kenya's large-scale farming districts. Based on a study conducted in 1989 among large farmers and farm labourers,... Show moreThis book examines the living conditions of farm labourers in Trans Nzoia, one of Kenya's large-scale farming districts. Based on a study conducted in 1989 among large farmers and farm labourers, an overview is given of wages, provisions, the various sources of income, the inportance of social networks and the nutritional status of different groups of farm labourers. From the data presented it appears that the extent to which households depend on the large farm owners for their livelihood largely determines their economic position. But the interdependency has its costs. The more the labourers' households are tied to the land of the farm owner for both income and own food production, the more difficulties they face in satisfying even their basic needs. Show less
This report, the second in a series of three dealing with food supply and nutrition among labourers on large farms in Trans Nzoia District, Kenya, examines the living conditions, household... Show moreThis report, the second in a series of three dealing with food supply and nutrition among labourers on large farms in Trans Nzoia District, Kenya, examines the living conditions, household resources, food consumption and nutritional situation in the labourers' households. The data were collected in June and July 1989 among some 300 households. Three types of labourers' households are distinguished, i.e. permanent labourers living on the large farms, casual labourers living on the farms ('resident casuals'), and casual labourers living outside the farms ('nonresident casuals'). For comparison a group of households was included in which nobody had performed any casual labour on a large farm during the year prior to the survey ('nonlabourers'). The results show that the households on the large farms have very little land at their disposal. In this respect, the situation of the nonresident casuals and in particular that of the nonlabourers is better. The households outside the farms are by far the wealthiest group. The average energy intake in the three groups of labourers' households is almost the same and 700 kcal lower than the estimated energy requirements. The nutritional condition of the children in the three groups of labourers' households is not very good. The study reveals that of the four study groups, the resident casuals can be considered the most vulnerable Show less
This study, carried out in 1989, is a support study for a larger survey of the nutritional situation in the households of labourers on large farms in Trans Nzoia, Kenya. Three categories were... Show moreThis study, carried out in 1989, is a support study for a larger survey of the nutritional situation in the households of labourers on large farms in Trans Nzoia, Kenya. Three categories were distinguished: permanent labourers, casual labourers living on the farm and casual labourers living off the farm. For comparison, a fourth group consisting of nonlabourers was added. The study covered two aspects of household income generation and food security, viz. rural employment and social networks. The study assessed the relative importance of various income-generating activities, such as farming, labour on large farms and nonagricultural employment, for the incomes of the different study groups. Related questions referred to the effects of seasonality on several activities, as well as the sexual division of rural employment and the constraints regarding specific income-generating activities. The study also examined the social networks of the labourers' households. Each household maintains relationships with relatives, nonresidential household members and nonrelatives. The study aimed to find out how these social networks contribute to household food security and income generation. Again, seasonal variations were taken into consideration, making it possible to assess whether differences in agricultural cycles between Trans Nzoia and the areas of origin of those studied, the majority of whom are immigrants, may help to solve food shortages. Show less
