Household Characteristics, Farm Use Practices and Effect on Household Food Security in Kathonzweni Sub-county, Makueni County

Abstract

Official reports indicate that majority of the population in Makueni County depends on household subsistence farming to cater for their foods. Yet, household food productivity has in the recent past declined by 70-90% due to crop failure of main staple crops. This study aimed to explore household farm productivity and its contribution to food security in Kathonzweni sub-county, Makueni County. The specific objectives of the study were: to identify the challenges faced by households in farm productivity; to examine household dynamics in land use practices; to assess the effects of farm practices on food production; to examine forms of post-harvest practices and their effects on food security; and to explore household factors in farm production that can enhance food security. Quantitative data was collected through a structured and closed-ended questionnaire while qualitative data was collected by use of key informant interview guide. The quantitative data was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Qualitative data on the other hand was done through thematic analysis. Out of the sample of 120 respondents, 97 managed to be interviewed, translating to an impressive 80.8% response success rate. Sixty two percent (n=60) were females while 38% (n=37) were males. Based on the study findings, it emerged that 100% (n=97) respondents had at least a goat, sheep or fowl but only 56 and 11 respectively had a cow or any other animal such as a rabbit, camel etc. Most of the households relied on maize but there was severe food insecurity in all the households. The study revealed that food production at the household levels was influenced by a number of factors which were both internal and external to the players. The residents of Kathonzweni sub-county generally harvested too little food to last them till next harvest season. Indeed it emerged that some households had gone for 3-4 years without any meaningful harvests. Some of the specific challenges were as a result of failing rains and poverty. The fact that people here have low purchasing power they cannot even afford the government subsidized farm inputs. Other challenges included predators such as birds, poor farming methods, lack of ready markets for their fruits and cash crops such as cotton, resistant to change and ignorance of the farmers among other challenges. This included the fact that although majority, 81% (n=79) of the respondents owned farm lands, it was largely not fertile for food production. In conclusion, female-headed households had some difficulties accessing loan facilities as opposed to their male counterparts. This meant that women-headed households needed more capacity building. The study also concluded that most household heads were above 45 years, lending credence to the argument that most young people were not very keen on farming especially in rural areas. Besides, education level played a critical role in farm food productivity where educated farmers were more likely to adopt better technologies and superior general farming methodologies hence increasing farm output. Recommendations by the study included enhanced capacity building and sensitization for the female-headed households; encouraging of diversification on dieting; and relevant policy initiatives by the government to guarantee increased farm food productivity in among rural communities.