Participation of the Catholic Church in Consumption of Avocado to Enhance Food in Evurore Division Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County

Abstract

Availability of enough nutritious food is very essential at all times. Food security can be enhanced when all people participate in food production, preservation and consumption. This will be possible if people have adequate knowledge on various kinds of foods which would influence them to participate effectively in the production and consumption of such foods. This study was based on enhancement of food security in a famine prone region of Evurore Division of Mbeere-north Sub-county of Embu County, Kenya. The researcher identified avocado as one source of food that could be used to enhance food security in the region. Literature was reviewed under several themes such as, the causes of food insecurity, the religio-cultural beliefs and practices that influence avocado production and consumption and the Catholic Church‟s participation in food security. The researcher based his field work on these themes focusing Evurore division. Data was collected from primary and secondary sources. Field data was collected specifically in Evurore division from the farmers, Catholic priests and Catholic Diocese of Embu development coordinators. This was done by conducting interviews, Focus Group Discussions and administering questionnaires. Secondary data was obtained from text books, journals, magazines and also from the internet. The researcher employed mainly the purposive and stratified random sampling techniques to sample the respondents. There were 96 respondents sampled. The data was reviewed in the light of Robert Chambers‟ development model in creating a responsible well-being. A person who is able to produce sustain his or own food is a responsible well –being. Data was analysed using qualitative technique and presented thematically according to the objectives of the study. The study established that there are various causes of food insecurity in Evurore division. The researcher also established that avocado has not been effectively used to enhance food security in Evurore. The Catholic Church has participated in many fields that promote food security but has not effectively sensitized the community to consume avocado fruit and the need to abandon their religion-cultural beliefs and practices which do not help in promoting food security.