Assessment of Household Status and Determination of the Measures Used to Overcome Food Insecurity in Kuria East Sub-County, Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

The issue of food security has been of fundamental importance in the world. As a basic need, food has been a major discussion issue in many round tables held by food organizations like FAO, WFP and governments in Kenya. The aim of this paper is to assess household food status and determination of the measures used to overcome food insecurity in Kuria East Sub County, Kenya. A sample of 316 households was picked through systematic sampling technique from Kegonga and Ntimaru divisions. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the required data from household heads. The assessment of household food status was assessed based on the proportion of household land under food production and the measures used to overcome food insecurity situation was assessed based on various means used by household to acquire food during food shortage. The assessment of household food status was analysed by descriptive analysis (cross tabulation and percentages) while the measures used to overcome food insecurity situation was analysed using descriptive analysis (percentages). The data analysis showed that majority of households owned small proportion of land (1.1-2.0 acres) under food production. 83.9% (majority) offered labour services in return for food, 81.9% sold cash crop/livestock to buy food while 66.9% purchased food by selling their assets, 66.9% bought food from their fellow farmers and 43.7% borrowed food from their neighbours and relatives. The study recommended that the County government to create adequate employment opportunities both on-farm and off-farm so as to improve food purchasing power among households in the study area.

Keywords: Food security, Households, Food Production