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Unity is power: The role of collective action and farmer groups in rural livelihoods in Kenya

Jacobsson, Märta LU (2012) MIDM71 20121
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis was to outline and analyze functions, impacts and challenges of collective action among farmer groups in rural Kenya. The thesis was guided by questions related to how and why farmers cooperate, what the outcomes of collective action on the individual and community level with regard to social and human capital are, and what challenges these farmer groups face. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the methodology was structured drawing on phenomenology and case study-design. Data was collected through individual interviews, group interviews, observations and additional documents. The fieldwork took place in areas of Eastern Province and Nyanza Province in Kenya during four weeks in November and December 2011.The... (More)
The purpose of this thesis was to outline and analyze functions, impacts and challenges of collective action among farmer groups in rural Kenya. The thesis was guided by questions related to how and why farmers cooperate, what the outcomes of collective action on the individual and community level with regard to social and human capital are, and what challenges these farmer groups face. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the methodology was structured drawing on phenomenology and case study-design. Data was collected through individual interviews, group interviews, observations and additional documents. The fieldwork took place in areas of Eastern Province and Nyanza Province in Kenya during four weeks in November and December 2011.The main findings include the notion that social reasons are more prominent than direct economic motives for farmers to engage in collective action, while at the group level economic reasons are more pronounced. Social and human capital is important outcomes of farmer groups, but they are also prerequisites for collective action. Bonding social capital is strong among all groups, whereas bridging and linking are weak or moderate. Challenges with regard to lack of qualified leadership, financial constraints and gender aspects are faced by the groups. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Jacobsson, Märta LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM71 20121
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
human capital, social capital, Collective action, farmer groups, Kenya
language
English
id
2543579
date added to LUP
2012-07-02 15:39:30
date last changed
2012-07-02 15:39:30
@misc{2543579,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this thesis was to outline and analyze functions, impacts and challenges of collective action among farmer groups in rural Kenya. The thesis was guided by questions related to how and why farmers cooperate, what the outcomes of collective action on the individual and community level with regard to social and human capital are, and what challenges these farmer groups face. To fulfill the purpose of the study, the methodology was structured drawing on phenomenology and case study-design. Data was collected through individual interviews, group interviews, observations and additional documents. The fieldwork took place in areas of Eastern Province and Nyanza Province in Kenya during four weeks in November and December 2011.The main findings include the notion that social reasons are more prominent than direct economic motives for farmers to engage in collective action, while at the group level economic reasons are more pronounced. Social and human capital is important outcomes of farmer groups, but they are also prerequisites for collective action. Bonding social capital is strong among all groups, whereas bridging and linking are weak or moderate. Challenges with regard to lack of qualified leadership, financial constraints and gender aspects are faced by the groups.}},
  author       = {{Jacobsson, Märta}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Unity is power: The role of collective action and farmer groups in rural livelihoods in Kenya}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}