FOOD INSECURITY AND COPING STRATEGIES AMONG RURAL HOUSEHOLDS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Food insecurity is a very serious concern globally as the world population increases. Kenya is one of the Nations faced with the challenges of ensuring that her population, particularly the poor rural households, are food secure. This study sought to establish household food insecurity and coping strategies in Kakamega County. The County was selected due to its expansive area and dense population with a record of high food prices and food insecurity of up to 51% hence rising poverty levels. The specific objectives of the study are to establish food insecurity status in rural households, determine causes of food insecurity in rural households, examine the effects of food insecurity on rural households and, investigate strategies adopted in addressing food insecurity in rural households in Kakamega County. The factors determining food insecurity included food availability, food accessibility, food utilizability and food sustainability; moderating variable was Government policy, which was used to mediate food sustainability. The study, adopted the cross-sectional survey design due its ability to expose research outcomes. The study targeted a population of 433,207 households in Kakamega County where Krejcie & Morgan table was used to determine the sample size of 384 households. Furthermore, 12 Agricultural Extension Officers were purposively selected since they formed key informants on matters related to food insecurity in all sub-counties in Kakamega County. The actual number of households was selected through simple random sampling. The data was collected using an interview schedule from key informants and a questionnaire for households. Pilot study was conducted in Vihiga County where 20 Households were randomly sampled. The reliability was determined by subjecting tools twice to the respondents and the two results acquired were compared and determined. Face validity was determined by scrutiny of the tools by the supervisors before producing final tools. Data was subsequently analyzed using SPSS version 23 which produced descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that there was high prevalence level of food insecurity in rural household and was indicated by (70%), food insecurity was caused by high price of farm inputs which was indicated by (95%) and finally food insecurity had an effect on rural household livelihoods, this was indicated by (68%) on food insecurity. Further the study concluded that food insecurity resulted from poor farming practices, poor mitigating strategies on climate change, rising theft cases, financial deficit and poor logistics in food aids distribution. The study recommended that households to make use of seasonal climate forecasts in agricultural decision making and awareness of cultivation of drought resistant crops. Supply of food subsidies and awareness of sustainable farming methods through Agricultural Extension Officers. The results of the study would support the Government in decision-making on matters related to the resolution of food insecurity, policy formulation by the government agencies, adoption of new strategies by stakeholders on securing food and finally, the addition of new knowledge to the academic body in securing new food insecurity challenges.