Farming Systems
There are few studies with detailed household characterization including wealth ranking. However, Thorpe et al. (1993) conducted a survey to characterize households in Kaloleni Division in the region.
About 75% of the households had less than 6 ha of land and the norm was 2 ha. Over 90% of households had houses with temporary roofs and walls but 75% had access to piped water. About 65% of households kept livestock and less than 20% had some cattle. The households with livestock had 13.2 members while those without had 9.4 members. Mean total annual farm income was US$980 and livestock contributed 15-65% of total farm income. On average, farm income was only 30% of the total household income. About 33% of all households, especially those without cattle, were seeking credit at the time of the survey. However, credit from commercial banks is expensive and most farmers are not willing to use
land title deeds as collateral for the credit.
Of late, the traditional land ownership has changed to a freehold system. Land has been demarcated and individuals issued with title deeds. Landholdings in the two major settlement schemes, Mtwapa and Tezo of Kilifi District, were initially 12 acres but they have been subdivided into smaller units because of increasing population pressure. A few large-scale farms are found in the region, mainly growing sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm.), coconut or keeping dairy animals. Mixed farming
forms the base of subsistence for most of the rural people. Cultivation is carried out with hand tools although the ox plough is also used in some areas. Both men and women carry out farming activities. Young people of school age usually help during school holidays.
Maize, cassava and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) are the main staple food crops. They are almost always cultivated as intercrops.Other minor but important food crops include upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), pepper (Capsicum sp. L.) and Amaranthus sp. L. are popular vegetables grown for cash. Major cash crops are coconut, cashew nut, bixa (Bixa orellana L.) and horticultural tree crops, such as mangoes (Mangifera indica L.), citrus (Citrus sp. L.) and bananas (Musa spp. L.). The tree crops, coconut and cashew nuts are generally planted without any