Impact of Innovation and Agricultural Cooperative Societies towards Ecological Equilibrium Among Rural Farmers in Kenya.

Abstract

Agricultural activities contribute heavily on climate change thus, its being challenged to adapt to its effects which involves the application of integrating socio-economic and ecological policies for greater resilience. Through cooperatives and innovations, promotion of agroecology which is the application of the principle of ecology in agricultural production is possible as ecology and agriculture are inter-dependent for global food production. Scientists are working in conjunction with farmers and other stakeholders to get solutions for challenges experienced locally instead of external and non-appropriate solution imposed to the locality. To enhance the resilience of farming system to climate change and improving the flow of ecosystem farmers are being encouraged to form cooperative societies since agricultural cooperatives have great influence on agricultural activities and rural transformation. As a social enterprise, cooperatives are autonomous and voluntary associations for persons united to meet a common social-economic and cultural wants. As instruments, they support small-scale farmers leading to poverty alleviation and food security and could be linked inextricably to protection of ecology by safeguarding environmental domains through appropriate education and technology. Still they are invaluable and efficient for improving members social welfare at the same time combating factors that degrade forested areas that may lead to poverty. The study employs an in-depth desk review based on secondary sources complemented with case studies from informant interviews from farmers in rural Kenya. The conclusion of the study is that agricultural cooperative acts as an umbrella whereby the chain-link of production system like creation of production chains, inclusivity of the marginalized groups in a productive system, self-employment, and local markets vitalization are all enhanced through entrepreneurial affairs in the society.