Assessment Of The Effects Of Greenhouse Farming On Food Security At Ikutha Sub-County, Kitui County

Abstract

Food insecurity in Kenya continues to rise due to inflated food prices, civil and political unrest, recurrent seasons of failed or poor rains, prolonged high food prices, environmental degradation, outbreak of diseases and flooding. Population increase has largely contributed to shortage of food globally. In order to meet the food needs of the increasing population, countries globally have come up with agricultural technologies for example genetically modified foods (GMOs), greenhouse technology, use of drones, agricultural robots and remote. The study sought to assess the effects of greenhouse farming technology on food security at Ikutha area. Ikutha being an ASAL region has been receiving inadequate rainfall that leads to food insecurity. Due to unpredictable weather patterns, greenhouse technology which involves controlled environment for crops was introduced in this area by government and non-governmental organizations. The study was led by the following objectives; to compare the productivity before and after the greenhouse adoption, to compare the income of the farmers before and after greenhouse adoption, to identify challenges faced by the farmers after greenhouse adoption and to make recommendations for addressing the challenges. Methods of data collection used included questionnaires, observation, interviews and documentary review. Data analysis and presentation in this study focused on frequencies, T-test, tables, graphs, and percentages. Response rate was 62% with over 70.5% of farmers being 38 years and above. Male farmers contributed to 51% of the respondents. It was observed that about 9.5% of the respondents had experienced food insecurity. Productivity and income changed after greenhouse adoption as the null hypothesis on production before being the same as production after greenhouse adoption was rejected. About 73.2% of the farmers had their farming land above 5.0 acres with 97.4% indicating that farmers received more income after greenhouse adoption. The study results showed that the uptake of greenhouse technology has however been low with lack of water (33.3%) and cost of greenhouse installation (16.7%) and maintenance being cited as a major obstacles. This study found out that there is an increase in income and yields for those who have adopted the technology. Some of the major challenges identified in this study include lack of adequate water (33.3%), high cost of greenhouse, high cost of customizing the greenhouse, high cost of maintenance of greenhouse and reluctance of Ikutha farmers to adopt the technology. This study recommends that Kitui County government intervenes by ensuring greenhouse technology is well known and understood by Kitui farmers. There should be incentives from the Kitui County Government for those who choose to adopt it for example affordable greenhouse materials, seeds, pesticides, seminars for training and also markets for their produce. National government in collaboration with county government can find a way on how to solve the issue of inadequate water. They can build water pans, dams, wells, provide tapped water which can be used in farming. For those who don’t have storage containers for harvested rain water can be provided.