Relationships between the farming practices of small scale Farmers and household food security: a case of Mumoni division, Mwingi district, Kenya.
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Date
2002-07
Authors
Kioko, Mativo
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Abstract
This study sought to investigate the farming practices of small-scale farmers in
Mumoni Division, Mwingi district; and, to determine how they relate to their households'
food security. The specific objectives of the study were: a) To establish the farming
practices of the small-scale farmers; b) To investigate the extent of household food
insecurity among the small-scale farmers; c) To determine the relationship between
selected ~emographic and socio-economic characteristics of the small-scale fanners and
their households' food security; and, d) To determine the relationship between selected
farming practices and farm-related factors 0f the small-scale farmers and their
households' food security.
The study was carried out in Mumoni Division, Mwingi district. It was cross --
sectional in nature as it sought to e~tablish the prevailing situation. A combination of
probability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to identify the
respondents who were drawn from the high and low altitude areas of the division.
Individual respondents were identified by use of the area sampling method. A total of
109 respondents were studied. Data were collected by use 0 r interview schedules and
observation guides. The collected data were summarised by use of frequencies and
percentages. The Pearson product moment correlation was used to determine the strength
and direction of relationships between variables while the independent samples t-test was
used to compare household food availability means for selected variables.
The findings of the study show that the level or technology employed in farming
among the respondents was relatively rudimentary with hand tools and especially the
traditional hoe being the most commonly used. Oxen ploughing was the only
mechanised option available to those who had or could access an ox-plough and draught
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animals. Animal manure, vegetable trash and crop rotation were the major fertility
maintenance/ promotion methods reported as used by the respondents. None of the
respondents reported using chemical fertilizers in food production
Women made up the Illajority 01' the day-to-day managers 01' food production
This was partly because 01' the out-migratiou or men to other places in search of
employment The farmers concentrated in food crops production mainly sorghum,
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bulrush millets, cowpeas, green grams,_maize and beans. Colton and castor oi] trees, cash
crops hitherto C011111l01lclyultivated ill the area had been abandoned due to marketing
problems. Traditional agriculture was f(JLJ11dto have a lot of influence on farming among
the respondents with a big proportion or them i.c. 60% relying on it as the major source
or inlonnation on lill1lling The rC,lS()IISI()JĀ·this were partly because it offered cheaper
and less demanding alternatives to other options. Farmers generally begin work ill their
farms early with many starting operations such as land preparation and planting before
the rains The major constraint reported by the respondents as limiting agricultural
production was the erratic rains. Other constraints included lack of essential inputs e.g.
seeds; illiteracy, crop pests, inadequate agricuhural extension services, labour COIl,<r;atiutx,
among others. Poverty Vias identified as a major limitation to the farmers' access to
certain essential inputs e.g. seeds and hired labour.
As at the time of data collection, the respondents' households were found to be
experiencing a level of moderate food insecurity This is because some households
reported not having any food ill their reserves while SOIIICwere skipping cer rain meals- a
coping mechanism when food supplies are constrained Relationships between
household food availability and selected demographic, socio-economic and farm-related
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factors indicated generally weak but positive correlations. These findings implied that
though important, these variables were not the most critical in assuring household food
availability. Significant differences in household food availability were noted far
selected variablesĀ· i.e. manure application, ownership of draught animals and the
ownership of an oxen plough.
To enhance food production, there is need to buile! the capacity of the food
producers i.e. the fanners and to provide the necessary support services that would allow
the maximum utilization of available resources within the environmental limitations or
Mwingi District.
Description
Master of Science. Foods, Nutrition and
Dietetics. 121p. July 2002, HD 983.M3