The relationship between choice of farm enterprises and food security among households living along Kerio valley, Tambach ward, Elgeyo-Marakwet County, Kenya

Abstract

Arid and Semi-Arid Lands are faced with environmental challenges which affect the productivity of their agricultural enterprises and consequently the level of food security and livelihoods of people. Tambach Ward in Kerio Valley of Elgeyo-Marakwet County is an ASAL area and Households living face similar challenges. The major farm enterprises practiced are maize, Drought-tolerant crops and livestock. Despite the support provided to households by Government and Non-Governmental Organizations through provision of agricultural extension services, funding of agricultural projects and provision of relief food supplies, food insecurity has remained high in the Ward. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between choice of farm enterprises and food security among households living in Tambach Ward. The specific objectives of the study were to; determine the relationship between choice of maize enterprise and food security in Tambach Ward, determine the relationship between choice of drought-tolerant food crops enterprise and food security in Tambach Ward, and determine the relationship between choice of livestock enterprise and food security in Tambach Ward. A descriptive survey research design was used. Purposive, stratified and systematic sampling techniques were employed to sample respondents. A total of 120 household heads were sampled from 2,782 households in three locations namely Keu, Kiptuilong and Kamogich. Data was collected using structured interview schedule. The instruments were pre-tested by sampling 20 household heads in Cheptebo location in Chepkorio Ward. Cronbach Alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument and a reliability coefficient of 0.80 was obtained which was above the recommended 0.70. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Pearson‟s Product Moment Correlation was used to determine the relationship between choice of farm enterprises and food security at 0.05 α level of significance. Hypotheses were tested using Multiple Regression. Analysis of variance was used to test whether the Multiple Regression models could significantly fit in predicting the outcome than using the mean. From the multiple regression model, R2 = 0.362. This indicated that the choice of maize, livestock and drought-tolerant food crops enterprise account for 36.2 per cent of food security along Kerio Valley. The study concluded that Livestock enterprise had a greater relationship with food security followed by Drought-tolerant food crops enterprise and maize had the least relationship. The high potential of livestock enterprise was due to its ability to withstand adverse environmental conditions than other enterprises. The recommendations of the study were; sensitization of households on diversification of farm enterprises and change of feeding habits from maize as a staple food crop to other alternative food crops, Government to enhance dry land farming technologies and promote drought tolerant food crop farming, Government and non-Governmental Organizations to improve marketing of livestock and value addition of livestock products to improve household income all of which enhance food security in Tambach Ward.