EFFECTS OF DEVOLVED AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA
EFFECTS OF DEVOLVED AGRICULTURAL FUNCTIONS ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA
Ogato Mercy Mochere - Master’s Student, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Patrick Mbataru - Lecturer, Department of Public Policy and Administration, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
This study looked at small-holder farmers in Kenya's Nyamira County in order to determine the impact of agricultural devolved responsibilities on food security. The study examined four goals, which included evaluating the impact on food security of extension services, finance services, agricultural inputs, and market and marketing services. Neo-Malthusian and Souffle theory were the foundation for the research study. Explanatory research design was employed in the study. It targeted 83 agricultural and field extension officers from all five of Nyamira County's sub-counties, as well as 15,296 small-holder farmers in total. The agricultural officials were chosen using a purposive sample strategy, while the farmers were chosen using a stratified and simple random selection method. Using the Bridget and Lewin formula, a sample size of 390 was obtained, of which 281 was collected. To get qualitative data, an interview guide was utilized whereas questionnaires were employed to gather quantitative data. Tables were utilized to depict the examined data and the data was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistics. In terms of research ethics, the researcher upheld respondents' rights by maintaining the anonymity of the information they gave. The study was voluntary, and there was a guarantee that the information collected would only be used for educational purposes. Then, using the SPSS V22 program, descriptive data were displayed in tables while inferential statistics were examined using correlation, chi-square, and logical regression analysis. With a score of 0.9, the research tool was accurate. With evidence of p=0.001, 0.05, logical regression analysis demonstrated a positive significant linear association between market and marketing services and food security in Nyamira County. However, there was a weak, non-significant connection between agricultural inputs and food security in Nyamira County (p=0.995, >0.05), financial services (p=0.406, >0.05), and extension services (p=0.687, >0.05). The study found that while extension services, financial services, and agricultural inputs were not shown to have a substantial impact on food security in Nyamira County, market and marketing services did have a positive and significant impact. According to the report, the Nyamira County Government should host more public forums on economic development, assist cooperatives that give farmers the ability to collectively bargain for their produce, and enhance market information systems for more visibility. The study's conclusions may be helpful to policymakers at the federal and county levels of Nyamira County as well as in harmonizing or changing agricultural policies and frameworks to improve food security status at the county level. Future research should give more consideration to other concerns that may affect food security and a larger target population.
