Smallholder Sugarcane Farmers’ Interactions in Innovation Partnerships and Its Implication on Livelihoods and Food Security in Mumias Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Innovation Partnerships brings together stakeholders of diverse talents with complementary skills to foster mutual learning and development of creative ideas. The purpose of this study was to examine how smallholder sugarcane farmers in Mumias sub-County interact within innovation partnerships and what implications this has on their livelihood assets and opportunities for food security. The study was premised on the Social Network Theory, and interactions were triggered through an action learning process. To participate in the action learning process a sample of 50 smallholders was drawn from a target population of 1,907 smallholder sugarcane farmers in Lureko location, Mumias sub-County using asset based ranking. Data collection and analysis was a continuous and iterative process using various action research protocols at each stage of the process. The study observed that interactions fostered new ideas whose application brought positive change. A platform for knowledge incubation, exchange and spillover was provided through continued interactions, thereby building smallholder sugarcane farmers’ networks and capabilities. Smallholders realized their potential and engaged in new opportunities to diversify livelihood strategies for improved health, income generation and food security.

Keywords: Smallholders, Livelihood assets, Innovation, Partnerships, Interactions, action-learning, Food Security