Abstract

Author(s): Makana, Nicholas E | Abstract: The diagnosis of rural poverty in Africa has historically adhered to the cultural barrier hypothesis, which identified social and cultural factors as overriding impediments to the adoption of innovations and the attainment of development objectives. The prevalent orthodoxy has been that the behavior of African peasants is always conditioned by a subsistence ethic that renders such societies impervious to change and innovation. This article utilizes the case example of Bungoma district in Western Kenya to debunk the notion of inherent African peasant conservatism. Employing mainly primary research material, the article argues instead that African rural households do possess the requisite capacity to positively respond to economic incentives with a view to modernizing their agrarian economies.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.