The State of Food Security in Africa: A Case Study Of Kenya (2011-2013)

While taking Kenya as a case study, the study was designed to assess the state of food security in Africa. It specifically assessed food production and consumption trends, evaluated efforts being made by the Kenyan government and other players (NGOs) to address food security concerns in Kenya, and explored the challenges and opportunities attributed to food security concerns in the country. The type of design adopted for this particular study was a case study. The study comprised national and county government officials, including the Ministries of Agriculture, World Bank, Kenya Agricultural Research institute (KARI), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), and the Red Cross. This thesis utilized both primary and secondary sources. A total of 5 respondents were interviewed (see append ix I). Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis methods were utilized. The study established that on average, the total food production and consumption (primary crops, meat, fish, and milk) in Kenya has been growing over the years but at a very slow rate. The major food crops during the period 201 1-2013 were maize, beans, millet, sorghum, cassava, sweet potatoes, rice, wheat, cowpeas, and Irish potato. Maize remains the most staple food in the country with a consumption of 55% (GoK: 2012). A number of efforts have been directed towards improving the state of food security i n Kenya, including food security-related legal and regulatory reforms. The state of Kenya's food security is riddled with a myriad of challenges, including overreliance on rain-fed agriculture, climate change, increased food prices, land tenure; and land use for agriculture production, low production, and inadequate targeted social protection programmes. The study found that a number of opportunities are available for improving the state of food security in the county. A number of recommendations are proposed by the study, including policy formulation, water harvesting, and stakeholder involvement in identifying, planning, and implementing food security-related programmes.