Challenges Faced and Opportunities for Sustainable Household Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Moiben Location, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
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Date
2012
Authors
Mukabane, Atieno Damary
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Attaining food security continues to be a challenge for many nations in the world.
Food security; a situation in which all people, at all times, have physical and
economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and
food preferences for an active healthy life; is affected by a complexity of factors.
Moiben location in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya is classified among the high
agricultural potential areas yet families experience seasonal food scarcity. A study to
investigate challenges and opportunities for sustainable household food security by
smallholder farmers was conducted in the location. The objectives of this study were
to: evaluate the overall food production among smallholder farmers in Moiben
Location; establish the socio-economic challenges and opportunities influencing
sustainable household food security among smallholder farmers in Moiben Location;
determine technological challenges and opportunities influencing sustainable
household food security among smallholder farmers in Moiben Location; establish the
environmental challenges and opportunities influencing sustainable household food
security among smallholder farmers in Moiben location. The study employed cross
sectional descriptive survey design and used a researcher administered questionnaire
to collect data from 102 smallholder farmers, interview schedules for the local
administration officer and the area Agricultural Extension Officer, and focus group
discussion guide. Sampling techniques used in the study were simple random and
purposive. Reliability of the instruments was established through pre-testing the
instrument. Cronbach's alpha was used to assess the reliability coefficient. The data
was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics such as percentages,
frequencies, chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study established
that maize was the highest harvested crop in the area followed by wheat and
vegetable. Cowpeas and beans were lower among the smallholders. Poultry followed
by dairy cows and goats were important livestock in the areas. Milk was the highest
followed by eggs and beef among the food items. All the socio-economic factors
including sex, age, household size, highest levels of education, occupation and
income affected the food crop and livestock production. Food production was higher
among females than males and increased with improvement in some socio-economic
I' factors of the farmers. Technology use was low among the smallholder farmers and
limited food production. Some of the environmental factors limited food production.
The study established that in the recent years, rainfall distribution had become
irregular and insufficient thus posing a challenge for the smallholder farmers in the
study area. The present study indicate that socio-economic factors, technological and
environmental factors, limited food production and improvement in these factors are
one ofthe ways that could enhance food production, hence food security.
Description
A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Science in Community Resource Management and Extension in the School of Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University, November, 2012