State various forms of agriculture practiced in Meru county Kenya?

1. Subsistence farming: Small-scale farming where farmers grow crops primarily for their own consumption.

2. Cash crop farming: Growing crops such as coffee, tea, and miraa (khat) for sale in local and international markets.

3. Livestock farming: Rearing animals such as cattle, goats, and poultry for meat, milk, and other products.

4. Horticulture: Growing fruits, vegetables, and flowers for local consumption and export.

5. Agroforestry: Integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural systems to provide additional income and environmental benefits.

6. Aquaculture: Rearing fish in ponds or tanks for food and income generation.

7. Beekeeping: Keeping bees for honey production and pollination services.

8. Greenhouse farming: Growing crops in controlled environments to increase yields and protect plants from pests and diseases.

Forms of Agriculture Practiced in Meru County, Kenya

1. Mixed Crop-Livestock Farming

- Combines crop cultivation with livestock rearing.
- Main crops include: tea, coffee, maize, beans, bananas, and vegetables.
- Livestock: cattle, goats, sheep, and poultry.

2. Cash Crop Farming

- Focuses on growing crops primarily for sale.
- Major cash crops: tea, coffee, miraa (khat), and flowers.

3. Subsistence Farming

- Practices farming mainly for self-consumption and local trade.
- Grown crops: maize, beans, sweet potatoes, vegetables, and fruits.

4. Dairy Farming

- Concentrates on milk production for commercial purposes.
- Dairy breeds: Friesian, Ayrshire, and Jersey.

5. Poultry Farming

- Raises chicken, turkeys, and ducks for meat and eggs.
- Commercial and backyard operations.

6. Horticulture

- Involves the cultivation of high-value crops such as:
- Vegetables: tomatoes, onions, capsicum, broccoli, cauliflower
- Fruits: strawberries, avocados, mangoes, pineapples

7. Agroforestry

- Integrates trees and agricultural crops on the same land.
- Benefits include: soil conservation, improved soil fertility, and additional income from timber and other tree products.

8. Fish Farming

- Involves the raising of fish in controlled environments, such as ponds or cages.
- Main species: tilapia, catfish, and trout.

9. Beekeeping

- Keeping bees for honey production and pollination services.
- Provides income and contributes to crop productivity.

10. Irrigation Farming

- Uses water from rivers, dams, or boreholes to irrigate crops.
- Allows for increased productivity and diversification of crops grown.