Meru South District - UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative

1.2.4 High cost of Artificial Insemination Services:
The stock of high –grade livestock breeds is insufficient in the district. It has been noted
that since the privatization of Artificial insemination services it has become very
expensive for farmers, resulting to most of them keeping low quality breeds. This calls
for intervention aiming at educating farmers to keep high grade livestock in order to
improve their standard of living.
1.2.5 Inaccessibility to Credit Facilities:
Banking services in the district are not adequate. The Co-operative Bank of Kenya, the
Equity Bank and Kenya Commercial Bank are the only banks in the district. The
inadequacy of banking services has contributed to many potential investors not being
attracted to the district .The majority of the district residents, particularly the business
community are affected adversely by the services as well as investment opportunities in
the district.
Since the existing credit facilities from commercial banks and other financial institutions
tend to exclude small-scale business holders, the co-operative sector in the district has not
benefited much from loan facilities normally available to societies especially the
producer co-operatives. Where credit facilities are available, borrowing conditions
discourage potential investors.
1.2.6 Encroachment
Encroachment areas on public utility plots including access roads, riparian reserves are
rampant. This has been experienced in most of the towns and major market centres
making development in those towns/centres to be very difficult. During this plan period,
the DDC, District Plot Allocation Committee and Local Authorities will ensure there is
no more encroachment on public utilities and where encroachment has occurred
repossessions will be effected.
1.2.7 Sub Division of Existing Land Parcels:
As the population continues to grow, pressure on land continue to increase leading to
further sub division into uneconomic units. Also these small units have been intensively
put into agricultural use and thereby use of fertilizers and pesticides have been
intensively applied. Excessive use of these chemicals leads to pollution of rivers as most
of them find their way there. In the lower regions of the district where livestock rearing
is the main economic activity, sub division of land into small units has been experienced
and crop farming has been introduced. These areas have very fragile soils, which once
exposed are easily eroded.
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