The Influence Of Dryland Farming Technologies On Household Food Security Among Small-Scale Farmers In Kyuso Sub-County, Kitui County, Kenya

ABSTRACT

Food insecurity remains a major challenge among the small-scale farmers in Kyuso SubCounty. Though the Ministry of Agriculture has been training small-scale farmers on various dryland farming technologies, Kyuso Sub-County has remained food insecure. This is evidenced by the fact that small-scale farmers in the Sub-County depend on food aid for their survival. The role played by the dryland farming technologies in ensuring household food security among the small-scale farmers has not been studied and documented. Consequently dryland farming technologies that could effectively help alleviate food insecurity in Kyuso Sub-County are not known. Agricultural productivity has thus continued to be low and since food aid availability is not guaranteed throughout the year, this exposes farmers to recurrent food insecurity. The purpose of this study was to identify dryland farming technologies that could be effectively used to alleviate food insecurity in Kyuso Sub-County. The study was carried out in Kamuongo Ward of Kyuso Sub-County. The ward had a population of 2,629 households. Proportionate and systematic random sampling procedures were used to select a sample of 140 respondents. Further samples of 12 farmers were selected purposively from each of the three villages in the study area, to participate in Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Thus the total sample size of 176 farmers participated in the study. Two instruments were used to collect data: a Focus Group Discussion Guide and a questionnaire. Validity of the instruments was ensured through examination by both experts and colleagues. Cronbach Alpha Reliability coefficient value of 0.795 was obtained after pilot testing the questionnaire. Data was analyzed by use of both descriptive and inferential statistics. The multiple linear regression model was used to test levels of influence among study variables at 0.05 level of significance. Results of the study showed that most of the farmers in the study area were female; most popular soil conservation technology was fanya juu terraces. Use of farmyard manure was found to be the most preferred method of soil fertility improvement. The level of millet and sorghum production was low with most farmers in the Sub-County due to high bird infestation. The results further revealed that soil and water conservation, rainwater harvesting, soil fertility improvement and production of drought tolerant crops (millet and sorghum) did not significantly influence household food security in Kyuso Sub-County.