Effects of Devolved Agricultural Functions on Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Nyamira County, Kenya
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Date
2023
Authors
Ogato, Mercy Mochere
Mbataru, Patrick
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IAJAH
Abstract
This study looked at small-holder farmers in
Kenya's Nyamira County in order to
determine the impact of agricultural devolved
responsibilities on food security. The study
examined four goals, which included
evaluating the impact on food security of
extension services, finance services,
agricultural inputs, and market and marketing
services. Neo-Malthusian and Souffle theory
were the foundation for the research study.
Explanatory research design was employed
in the study. It targeted 83 agricultural and
field extension officers from all five of
Nyamira County's sub-counties, as well as
15,296 small-holder farmers in total. The
agricultural officials were chosen using a
purposive sample strategy, while the farmers
were chosen using a stratified and simple
random selection method. Using the Bridget
and Lewin formula, a sample size of 390 was
obtained, of which 281 was collected. To get
qualitative data, an interview guide was
utilized whereas questionnaires were
employed to gather quantitative data. Tables
were utilized to depict the examined data and
the data was analyzed by both descriptive and
inferential statistics. In terms of research
ethics, the researcher upheld respondents'
rights by maintaining the anonymity of the
information they gave. The study was
voluntary, and there was a guarantee that the
information collected would only be used for
educational purposes. Then, using the SPSS
V22 program, descriptive data were
displayed in tables while inferential statistics
were examined using correlation, chi-square,
and logical regression analysis. With a score
of 0.9, the research tool was accurate. With
evidence of p=0.001, 0.05, logical regression
analysis demonstrated a positive significant
linear association between market and
marketing services and food security in
Nyamira County. However, there was a
weak, non-significant connection between
agricultural inputs and food security in
Nyamira County (p=0.995, >0.05), financial
services (p=0.406, >0.05), and extension
services (p=0.687, >0.05). The study found
that while extension services, financial
services, and agricultural inputs were not
shown to have a substantial impact on food
security in Nyamira County, market and
marketing services did have a positive and
significant impact. According to the report,
the Nyamira County Government should host
more public forums on economic
development, assist cooperatives that give
farmers the ability to collectively bargain for
their produce, and enhance market
information systems for more visibility. The
study's conclusions may be helpful to
policymakers at the federal and county levels
of Nyamira County as well as in harmonizing
or changing agricultural policies and
frameworks to improve food security status
at the county level. Future research should
give more consideration to other concerns
that may affect food security and a larger
target population.
Description
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Keywords
Citation
Ogato, M. M., Mbataru, P. (2023). Effects of devolved agricultural functions on food security among smallholder farmers in Nyamira County, Kenya. International Academic Journal of Arts and Humanities, 1(3), 248-271.