ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2014), Volume 2, Issue 7, 945-950 945 Journal homepage: http://www.journalijar.com INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH RESEARCH ARTICLE CHALLENGES FACED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SMALL SCALE FARM ENTERPRISES IN TRANS-NZOIA COUNTY, KENYA Mary N. Gichuki Manana* PhD candidate at the University of South Wales, DVC AA, Livingstone International University, P.O Box 994, Mbale, Uganda Manuscript Info Abstract Manuscript History: Received: 26 May 2014 Final Accepted: 29 June 2014 Published Online: July 2014 Key words: Challenges, Management, Small Scale Farm Enterprises, Trans- Nzoia County, Kenya *Corresponding Author Mary N. Gichuki Manana* This paper examines the challenges affecting the farming practices of small scale farmers in Trans-Nzoia County. The study adopted a survey research design in which interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from the Agricultural Officer at the Trans-Nzoia County headquarters, the extension staff and selected farmers. A total of 357 respondents were selected using simple cluster sampling technique. The study employed regression model with a view to ascertain which of the farm enterprises would be appropriate in improving the farmer’s livelihoods. The identified challenges facing the farm enterprises include, the small farm sizes, civil (political) strife, poor post harvest storage, poor farm tools used, failure to access fertilizers, poor farming methods employed, poor soils, diseases and pests, climatic changes and marginal provision of extension services. The government should consider increasing provision of extension services to the small scale farmers so as to change the thinking of the small scale farmers, and ultimately their farming practices. This could lead to improvement in the production levels of the farm produce. Copy Right, IJAR, 2014,. All rights reserved. Introduction The most difficult challenge facing communities in the developing world where a substantial majority of the population is considered poor is the reduction of poverty and improvement in the people’s living conditions through sustainable economic growth. According to Kwesiga (2004), sustainable economic growth is growth that is durable, environmentally friendly and widely supported and shared. Without sustainable economic growth, policies aimed at alleviating poverty in developing countries will do little more than redistribute existing poverty. Income growth widens people’s choices and is regarded as a key to poverty reduction. Improving the economic status of poor people allows them to increase their consumption and gives them additional means of production which are essential for food security, material prosperity and social status. It also reduces on the pressure on the environmental resources. Origin of Farming Practices, Agricultural Policies and Programmes for Farmers The period following independence for most of the developing countries held great hopes because the governments of these countries aspired for fast growth, overcoming adversities; wiping out poverty, feeding their peoples and providing everyone with equal opportunities to improve their livelihood. Underlying all these was the ideal of democratic participation by the people in the decisions affecting them. Initially, most countries moved in the right direction in their quest for higher standards. But over the decades, because of both external and internal factors, and