County Government Strategies Influencing Sustainable Domestic Food Security In Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to examine the strategies taken by County government of Trans-Nzoia towards the achievement of sustainable domestic food security for its populace. The study sought to achieve this through four objectives which included: to determine the extent to which the provision of subsidized farm inputs influence the achievement of sustainable domestic food security, to establish the extent to which farmer group trainings influence sustainable domestic food security, to examine extent to which the farm follow up visits influence sustainable domestic food security and to assess extent to which farmer field days influence sustainable domestic food security. The study sought to test the following four hypothesis: there is a significant correlation between provision of subsidized farm inputs and sustainable domestic food security, there is a significant correlation between farmer group trainings and sustainable domestic food security, there is a significant correlation between farm follow up visits and sustainable domestic food security and finally there is a significant correlation between farmer field days and sustainable domestic food security. The study adopted descriptive survey design with a target population of 1,201 farmers and a study sample of 291 respondents. This survey design was chosen since triangulation of data was required in this study. The study is grounded on the outcomes theory which underpins sustainability aspects desired in the study. The structured (close-ended) questionnaires were used to collect the required data. Data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS). The researcher recruited two competent research assistants to help in the data collection exercise. Proportionate random sampling methodology was utilized to sample the farmers that were interviewed per location which was the unit of analysis. The questionnaires were pilot-tested two weeks prior to actual data collection process using 29 farmers who were eventually excluded from the main study. Pilot testing of the questionnaire was done to refine its content and remove any ambiguities in questions asked. Questionnaire response rate was 82.47%. Content and construct validity were used to measure appropriateness of the questionnaire while Cronbach’s Alpha method was used to measure reliability of the questionnaire. The Cronbach’s Alpha value obtained was 0.85 meaning all sections of the structured questionnaire were valid.