Food Insecurity in Protracted Crisis: Case Study of Madogo Ward, Tana North Sub County, Kenya

Abstract

The study focuses on factors that sustain food insecurity in protracted crisis with a specific focus on Madogo ward, Tana North Sub County. To address food insecurity there is need to understand factors that make households vulnerable to it. The objectives of the study were to establish factors that make household’s food insecure and also establish the current food insecurity status of households in Madogo ward, Tana North Sub County which is an area in protracted crisis. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research techniques to collect primary and secondary data. Key informant interviews and household data collection was achieved by the use of interviews .Secondary data was collected through a desk research and review of documents relevant to food security. Findings from the study showed that the households in Madogo Sub County were severely food insecure with hunger as per the Household Food Insecurity Assessment (HFIA) score. Main factors contributing to this included large household sizes, low productivity in agriculture, low income levels and lack of basic services and infrastructure in the area. There is much dependence on government and other well-wishers for relief food and monetary support during food shortages in the area and negative coping mechanisms such as charcoal burning were utilised to cope. The recommendations arising from the study are promotion of irrigation projects in the area, improved agricultural practices; establish cooperatives and credit facilities, the associated activities such as improvement in education, health and other forms of infrastructural developments.