Role Of Women Farmers In Household Food Security In Mpeketoni Location, Lamu County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Women play a vital role in food production, however, little has been documented about their role in food security for their households despite their efforts in food production. The purpose of the study was to assess the role of women in household food security in Mpeketoni Location, Lamu County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to identify the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of women farmers; to determine farming inputs used by women farmers; to establish the farming practices adopted by women farmers; to establish post-harvest technologies practiced by women farmers and to establish the status of household food security among households in Mpeketoni Location, Lamu County. The study employed cross sectional survey research design based on a sample of 392 households selected using systematic random sampling. Data was collected from the women farmers using direct interview guides. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was analyzed using a thematic approach. The data was then presented using frequencies, percentages and tables. Chi-square statistical test was used for hypothesis testing. The hypotheses Ho1, Ho2 and Ho3 were rejected at 0.05 significance level. About one third of the women farmers were between 31-40 years of age, representing 43.2% of the target population, 77.7% of the women farmers were married, devoted to farming and that 77.3% of them obtained income from farming and sale of crops. Findings on the roles of women farmers included use of diverse farming inputs such as manure, fertilizers, pesticides and seeds. They also adopted various farming practices such as mixed farming, mixed cropping, crop rotation, terracing and weed control which were aimed at diversifying the diet for their households. The study found out that there was vast land ownership but much less land was directed to farming. Moreover, women farmers lacked knowledge on use of farm inputs especially certified seeds and fertilizers which contributed to the inability by the women to sustain food security for their households. Household food security differed by demographic characteristics, size of farm under food crop, farming experience and use of certified (hybrid) seeds were statistically significant; indicating that household food security differed on the basis of these farm inputs. On farming practices, households which practiced mixed cropping, crop rotation and weed control were associated with higher food security and vice versa. Findings indicated that households that were food secure were 42.9%, those which were vulnerable to food insecurity were 36.5% while the food insecure households were 20.6%. The roles played by women farmers in producing food for their households included ensuring dietary diversity and undertaking various farming practices and farm inputs. These roles were however hindered by low acreage put under farming and inadequate farm inputs such as fertilizers and hybrid seeds. The study recommends that the government puts in place policy recommendations aimed at ensuring household food security and reviews policies to ensure problems that constrain women roles in food security are addressed. Agricultural extension policies should be reviewed to increase access by women farmers so as to enhance household food security. The government should as well provide subsidized farm inputs and technologies as well as involving other stakeholders in provision of extension services with the aim of enhancing household food security.