Effectiveness Of The Consortium Approach Vis-à-vis Conventional Approach On Income Of Smallholder Farmers

Agriculture is one of East Africa's most important sectors, with about 80percent of the population living in rural areas and depending on agriculture for their livelihoods (East African Community( EAC), 2015). Despite this, the region is categorized amongst the poorest in the world with more than 60% of the population living below the poverty line (EAC, 2015). Poverty here is defined according to the human rights approach, in terms of a range of interrelated and mutually reinforcing deprivations, and drawing attention to the insecurity, stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion. The manifestation of poverty includes: low income and productive resources sufficient to ensure sustainable livelihoods; hunger and malnutrition; ill health; limited or lack of access to education and other basic services; increased morbidity and mortality from illness; homelessness and inadequate housing; unsafe environments; social discrimination and exclusion; characterized by lack of participation in decision making and in civil, social and cultural rights (EAC, 2015).