The Influence of Dependency on Relief Food Programme Intervention on Farmers’ Participation in Crop Production in Mandera County

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to impart new knowledge and skills on the influence of relief food intervention on farmer’s participation in crop production in Mandera County. The overall objective of the research was to find out the influence of protracted relief food intervention on farmer’s participation in crop production in Mandera County. Governments and non-governmental organizations spend much on distributing relief food to community over the years without due consideration of the influence of such practices on agriculture production and resultant impact on food security. The study was conducted through a descriptive research survey; case of Mandera County. Data was collected using questionnaires administered to 368 heads of consenting household who were randomly sampled using proportionate stratified method. Questionnaires were used to collect primary data with the help of the research assistants. Percentages and tables have been used to summarize, organize and present the data. To investigate whether a dependence relationship exists between two variables or whether the variables are statistically independent a Chi-square was used to test the research questions. The qualitative and quantitative data was triangulated for deeper understanding. The study found out that relief food distribution has an influence on the farmer’s participation in crop production in Mandera County. The outcome of this research will enable County Government, Policy makers and donor organization to come up with suitable measures that can reduce over reliance on food aid and impart dry land farmers with insights to engage in food security projects believing that will improve agricultural performance and productivity