Sustainable agriculture in rural development using local technologies : the case of Kenya

Abstract

This paper examines the potential for local knowledge in sustainable agricultural development in developing countries with reference to Kenya. This task is accomplished by a critical evaluation of the existing relevant literature. The conceptual framework is based on the rural African understanding of sustainable livelihoods, which calls for a broader perspective between local knowledge and agricultural sustainable development.

The study aims to contribute towards an understanding of the concept of empowerment from the standpoint of rural African communities. This is achieved through a review of the mainstream approaches, which apparently have failed to provide an appropriate framework through which rural African communities can maintain a sustainable agricultural livelihood. This study draws the conclusion that agricultural practices based on local knowledge have the potential for sustainable agricultural development in the Kenyan environment if accompanied with appropriate policies, research and funding.