Stakeholder aspects influencing implementation of food security projects in Msambweni District, Kenya
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Date
2014-06-30
Authors
Omari, Patrick Orengo
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Abstract
Despite considerable efforts of national governments and the international community to reduce hunger and improve nutrition in the context of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other initiatives, the proportion of undernourished people in developing countries has largely remained constant since the mid-1990s.The main objective of the study was to investigate stakeholder aspects influencing food security government projects in Msambweni district. The key issues of this investigation was to establish how; land ownership, cultural practices, education and farming methods have influenced the extent of food security projects implementation in Msambweni district. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The population targeted comprised the residents of Msambweni district who practice farming activities. Researcher administered questionnaires were applied to collect Primary data from respondents by help of research assistants, who assisted the respondents to fill the questionnaires and also make follow up. Frequency tables and percentages were used to present the findings. Responses in the questionnaires were tabulated, coded and processed by use of a computer Statistical Package for Social Science version 20 programme to analyze the data. Descriptive statistics like the mean and inferential statistics were used to derive meaningful findings and conclusions. While this research contributed to the knowledge, it maintained utmost confidentiality about the respondents. The researcher ensured that all respondents were given free will to participate and contribute voluntarily to the study. The findings indicated that land ownership made the implementation of food security projects easy and faster. Results indicated that cultural practices were a hindrance in food security projects implementation and this implies that it made implementation take a longer period. The findings also indicated that there are taboos in their community which discourage some types of farming methods and some food crops and if people in Msambweni were to disregard cultural beliefs farm productivity and food sufficiency would change positively. Results indicated that farming methods and inputs were key determinants of food security projects implementation. It was also found that farming methods influenced the implementation of food projects at Msambweni district. Cultural practices were found not statistically significant. The study concludes that land ownership is a key driver to food security projects implementation in Msambweni District. It can therefore be concluded that the farmers were happy about the government initiative of distributing seeds, fertilizers and have farmers given grants for basic farm mechanization which would make farmers become self sufficient. It can be concluded that education level is not a determinant of farm output as long as the farmer follows good farming practices and attends farming seminars and workshops to enlighten their farming techniques and hence improve productivity. It is recommended to the farmers to ensure that they retain their own lands and avoid selling and put the land into good use by practicing farming. It is also recommended that the farmers embraces the government initiated projects being implemented in the area as this will help improve food production in the area and avoid food drought and fight poverty. In addition to the above, farmers should have an open mind in fighting hunger as this will ensure that all people work towards improving food security issues regardless of the religion and culture.
Description
Department of Management Science, 59p. 2013