DETERMINANTS OF HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY STATUS AMONG THE SMALLHOLDER FARMING COMMUNITY IN KILIFI SOUTH SUB- COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Food security is critical to the economic, social, religious, political and cultural development
worldwide. This study goes deeper to investigate the role of household characteristics, food
security constraints, extension services and livelihood strategies on food secuty in Kilifi South
Sub-county. This Sub-county is one of the areas where food insecurity incidences are prevalent
as a result of unpredictable rainfall patterns, sandy soils and high evaporation rate which as a
result leads to numerous undesirable effects, such as frequent crop failure, high food commodity
prices and famine. The study adopted survey design. The aim was to identify and analyze the
determinants of food security status among the smallholder farming community members in
Kilifi South Sub-county. The objectives of this study are (1) to determine the influence of
household characteristics on household food security status among the smallholder farming
community, (2) to determine the influence of food security constraints on household food
security status among the smallholder farming community, on household food security status
among the smallholder community, (3) to determine the influence of agricultural extension on
household food security status among the smallholder farming community and (4) to determine
the influence of livelihood strategies on household food security status among the smallholder
farming community in Kilifi South Sub-county. The study administered a standard questionnaire
to a sample of 384. Sampling was done by use of systematic sampling procedure. Data collected
on food security status was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the
information gathered through personal interviews, (80%) of all the farmers were food insecure.
Famers in the age bracket 36-45 years were more food secure (10%) compared to other age
groups. Households with at most 2 members were more food secure (10%), farmers with
secondary education were also (10%) food secure while females were more food secure (12%)
compared to males. Land ownership through possession of title deeds was found to be
significantly (P< 0.1). This is as a result of increase in food security by (7%) with individual land
vi
ownership increasing food security by (11%). The inferential results show that the significant
factors are age of the household head was significant with, household size with, education level
of the household head with and gender of the household heads, credit from banks, possession of
title deeds, land size, early planting, participation in off-farm activities, irrigation, soil and water
conservation, agroforestry, indigenous knowledge and agricultural diversification. It was
therefore concluded that households with small family sizes; and households with heads that are
female, have higher level of education and middle aged are more food secure. To further enhance
food security and improve food security status in Kilifi South Sub-county, possession of title
deeds, participation in extension and engagement in off-farm activities should be encouraged.
The findings of this study would be beneficial to leaders, stakeholders and policy makers in
decision making process pertaining suitable interventions in attainment of food security in Kilifi
South Sub-county.