Subsistence farming is an agricultural system in which a farmer focuses on growing enough food to feed themselves and their families. The output is typically for local requirements with little or no surplus trade.
Many smallholder farmers in Kenya engage in subsistence farming, which is crucial for their food security and survival. This type of farming emphasizes self-sufficiency, relying heavily on family labor and often involving mixed cropping and livestock rearing.
Examples:
- A family grows maize, beans, and vegetables, and keeps a few livestock, producing most of what they need for their nutritional requirements and using any small surplus to trade locally.
- In remote areas, subsistence farmers might rely entirely on their produce, with limited access to markets or external food sources.
Supporting subsistence farmers through agricultural education, access to sustainable farming resources, and improved infrastructure can enhance food security and reduce poverty, particularly in rural areas.
Related Terms: Food security, Smallholder farmer, Mixed cropping, Self-sufficiency, Rural livelihoods
