The Role of Women Farmers in Household Food Security in Mpeketoni Division, Lamu County, Kenya
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Date
2014-11-28
Authors
Kilovoo, Tabither Nthenya
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Africa remains largely food insecure despite the fact that the action needed to reverse
the situation has been discussed in a number of conferences and publications. Kenya's
current food security situation is an issue of concern. Despite the increasing global
efforts to improve food security, the extent of food insecurity in the rural areas of the
country is not well documented. Women play a vital role in food production.
However, their households are major casualties of food insecurity despite their efforts
in food production. The purpose of the study will be to assess the role of women in
enhancing household food security in Mpeketoni Division, Lamu County, Kenya. The
objectives of the study will be to identify the demographic and socioeconomic
characteristics of women farmers; to determine the farming inputs and farming
practices employed; to establish the post harvest technologies practiced and to
determine the status of household food security among farming households in
Mpeketoni Division. The study will employ descriptive research design. The target
population will be all households practicing farming in Mpeketoni Division and the
respondents will be the women farmers. A sample of 376 farming households will be
sampled using systematic random sampling from a total of 3,762 farming households.
Data will be collected from the women farmers and from agricultural extension
officers using interview guides. Focus Group Discussions will be conducted for the
farmers' representatives. Observation check list will be used to record researcher's
observation of key variables of the study. Quantitative data will be analyzed using
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data will be analyzed
using a thematic approach. The data will then be presented using frequencies,
percentages, pie charts and tables. Conclusion and recommendations will be drawn
from the research findings.