This thesis is an investigation of the impact of tea and sugar cane contract farming on rural development in Kenya.;The study found that tea and sugar cane contract farming has had mixed fortunes for the peasants and workers, who have lost more than gained from it. The peasants and workers have marginally benefitted from tea and sugar cane contract farming. The real beneficiaries have been the government, multinationals and other intermediate parties who continue to realise impressive economic benefits. However, between tea and sugar cane contract farming, the latter has been of less benefit to the producers.;In terms of class position, tea and sugar cane contract farming has not significantly altered the class situation of Kenyan rural communities. Proletarianization has indeed been occurring, in some measure due to tea and sugar cane contract farming, but at a very slow pace. Peasantization, more than anything else, has been enhanced by this form of argicultural production. (Abstract shortened by UMI.). |