Effects of cotton growing on household food Security in arid and semi-arid lands: the example of Barwessa division in Baringo district Kenya".

Abstract

This study was motivated by the need to understand the interplay between cotton farming in Barwessa and household food security in the area. The study was centered on three main objectives: • To examine the extent to which subsistence farming is affected by cotton, • To identify the relationship between levels of household food security in relation to income and expenditure, • To investigate women's access to income from cotton production, their food production and food security roles, The introduction of Cotton was deemed to provide income from which farmers could access food, In the study 100 households was purposively sampled from a list of active farmers, The data was gathered using a survey questionnaire, unstructured interviews, structured and observation methods, Quantitative Data was analyzed using SPSS Computer package which generated the percentages and frequencies for interpretation. Qualitative data was also analyzed. It emerged from the findings that cash crop farming has had negative impact on food security as a result of neglect of indigenous subsistence farming which are drought resistant and livestock keeping, which provide a whole year-round household food security. Farmers have dedicated their efforts to the cash crop at the expense of subsistence farming consequently affecting household food security. It came out clearly women participate in both subsistence and cotton production and, yet do not access income from their labor. In recommendation, policy issues be addressed bottom up, establish potentials of indigenous agriculture and intensify gender friendly extension services