0 Farmers










 In 1985, Dr Judith Mbula, a social anthropologist, conducted-on
 behalf of the On-Farm Grain Storage Project-a survey of small-
 scale farming in western Kenya. This chapter draws on her re-
 search report to describe some characteristics of farmers in that
 area: their patterns of family life, their current farming practices
 and their views which have a bearing on their readiness to accept
 change. Though the 655 farmers contacted in her survey may not
 be representative ofsmall-scale farmers across the whole of Kenya-
 and certainly not representative of farmers in other countries-
 nevertheless, some key points from Dr Mbula's research findings
 may help us to understand some of the factors that have to be taken
 into account when recommending new procedures. It should help
 us to identify some of the blockages that sometimes occur when we
 are trying to get our messages across.
 One of the most interesting aspects of Dr Mbula's study is that one
 of her main conclusion is markedly different from what is found in
 similar studies conducted in Asia and South America. Whereas
 most other studies point to a very pessimistic and resigned attitude
 among farmers, Dr Mbula found that the farmers in western Kenya
 do not have a "shauri ya Mungu"-in the hands of God-attitude,
 which means an acceptance of poverty and an inability to see any
 hope for improvement. Quite the contrary. Most of the farmers
 contacted by Dr Mbula's research team have a positive attitude
 towards life; they want to see it enhanced. They look to the future,
 put great store by the welfare of their children and have faith in the
 advantages that will come from their children's better educational
 opportunities. They are well informed about modern agricultural
 practices. Most attend barazas where development messages are