PART 11. 
CHAPTER VI—NATIVE AGRICULTURE. 
(Items in this Chapter were discussed at joint meetings of the 
Agricultural and Cotton Sections.) 
NATIVE AGRICULTURE IN KENYA, IMPROVEMENT, Etc. 
The following paper by Mr. E. Harrison, Deputy Director of 
Agriculture, Kenya, was read (paper referred to in Agenda as 
T.C.(C)Ag.3): 
Naturally this is a problem of more than ordinary interest to 
Kenya Colony, and it is a peculiarly difficult problem on account of 
the many and varied kinds of interest taken in our natives and their 
reserves. 1t is a matter with which Departments of Agriculture in 
similar Territories are very much acquainted and it is hoped that a 
statement of our position with a sketch of what we are trying to do 
and what we hope to evolve will give grounds for discussion by and an 
opportunity for advice from those attending this Conference. 
Almost the greatest asset possessed by Kenya is its native 
population and it is an asset which may be realised fully only if its 
development is undertaken seriously and continuously. With people 
the wealth of the land may be rendered available so that progress of 
Kenya may be said in great measure to be bound up in the develop- 
ment and organisation of the people and of the fundamental industry 
of the major population. 
Briefly, Kenya natives are said to fall into two categories, namely, 
Pastoral and Agricultural tribes. At least most, if not all, tribes are 
pastoralists, but some have been induced by circumstance to take up 
agriculture. ~~ There is a slow process of differentiation going on so 
that we hope we shall find our pastoralists settled in pastoral areas 
and our agriculturists using all the agricultural areas in the reserves. 
At present, to cite two cases only, the Nandi and the Lumbwa are two 
tribes, inhabiting agricultural areas, whose agricultural effort is meagre 
in the extreme, their interest being centred on livestock. 
The Colony falls into five main divisions in respect of its native 
population : 
(1) Nyanza Province: This I should term an agricultural 
province, although great numbers of stock are kept, and the Nandi and 
the Lumbwa above mentioned are included in this area. On the whole 
agricultural work is bound to increase in Nyanza. 
(2) Kikuyu: This is an agricultural area, but here again great 
numbers of stock are kept. 
(3) Masai-Ukamba: Mainly pastoral areas. 
(4) The Coast: Agricultural for 10-30 miles from the sea, behind 
that pastoral. 
(5) The Northern Frontier District: Purely pastoral. 
The pastoral areas are in the drier areas of the country and the 
people live a semi-nomadic if not an entirely nomadic life. Of the 
pastoral areas the highest degree of settlement is found in the Ukamba 
Reserve which is partly agricultural, and it is expected that more 
agricultural work will be carried on in the Ukamba Reserve, 
particularly if the grazing areas of the tribe are not extended. 
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