Food security among rural small holder farmers: national agriculture, livestock and extension programme (NALEP) intervention in Bobasi, Kisii county

Abstract

Food security is an essential element of overall human well-being. This study assesses how and the extent to which National Livestock and Extension Programme (NALEP) has created, strengthened and enhanced the innovative and productive capacities of the smallholder rural farmers to attain self-sufficiency levels in food security requirements.The study analyzed the characteristics of small holder rural farmers households; the influence of NALEP interventions on current capacity for food security among the smallholder farmers; and lastly, the strengths and weakness of the NALEP interventions . The study adopted both quantitative and qualitative research approach. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. The study utilized both primary and secondary data; and thematic analysis technique of data analysis. The study draws four key findings. First, Smallholder rural farmers’ households display diverse socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Second, food security differences cut across gender, age, and income sources. Third, the biggest strength of NALEP has been the formation and capacity building of grassroot farmer organizations in form of the Common Interest Groups (CIGs). Through these groups the farmers have been able to survive difficult challenges and increase their individual incomes. The study findings however did not establish any organization that provided capacity support in monitoring and evaluation; and lastly, by involving local farmers in the Focal Area Development Committees (FADC) and educating them in new farming technologies have shown to be another successful strategy. The study suggests three key recommendations for policy. First, while connections between research and extension are often problematic as their roles can appear to be overlapping,it is recommended that in order to ensure a certain level of relevance in their work, the research service will have to rely on extension workers to screen and field test solutions together with farmers and on the farm. This aspect is particularly relevant in relation to crops that may be suitable for the poorer segments of the farming communities. Second, the study recommends that an attempt should be made to formalize the mandate of the Stakeholder Forum, using the mandate of the Ministries of Agriculture to reinforce the coordination of all entities working in rural development towards a more efficient use of resources in this area; and finally, it is recommended that a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system is designed and implemented. The M&E system should embrace activities and results related both to production as well as cross-cutting issues related to gender, age and education. Additionally, the study suggests three recommendations for further research. First, this study was based on household survey data using a small sample, which cannot provide conclusive insight into how households move in and out of food shortages across time. Therefore a longitudinal study using panel sets with a larger sample is more likely to bring out the bigger picture. Second, a study on the sustainability of NALEP as a development intervention be carried out, noting that NALEP is a measurable and time-bound intervention in its last phase under NALEP-SIDA. Third, the study recommends for replication of the studies be carried out in other areas of Kenya where NALEP intervention exist to establish variations in strategies employed, and the outcome of household food security interventions on household food security.