Determinants of Sorghum Producing Households’ Expenditure and Implications for Food Security in Western Kenya and Eastern Uganda

Abstract

Even though studies have addressed determinants of household expenditure, no effort has been made to evaluate such factors among sorghum producing households in western Kenya and Eastern Uganda. The paper examines household expenditure pattern, its determinants and implications for food security among sorghum farmers in western Kenya and Uganda. Data was collected using ODK software in 5 counties of western Kenya and 4 sites in Uganda, and analyzed using Stata. Sorghum farmers in Western Kenya spend US$ 1,090 annually on basic needs, unlike Ugandan counterparts who use US$ 1,273. Food took 52 % of budget in western Kenya unlike in Uganda where it accounted for 28 %.  Education, medicare, clothing and social events took 29 %, 8 %, 6 % and 5 % in Kenya, unlike Uganda where they accounted for 30%, 23 %, 9 %, and 10 % respectively. In western Kenya, income significantly influenced expenditure on food, education, medicare and clothing, unlike Uganda where it only influenced expenditure on education and clothing. Gender influenced expenditure on food and medicare in Western Kenya calling for intra-household consultation when programming food and medicare, but was a non-issue in Uganda. Education only influenced expenditure on clothing in western Kenya, but in Uganda it influenced expenditure on social events and medicare. Household size influenced expenditure on education, clothing and social events in western Kenya, but in Uganda it influenced expenditure on education and medicare. While age influenced expenditure allocations on food, education and medicare in Uganda, it was not significant in Kenya. Economic empowerment of sorghum producing households is critical for increased access to basic necessities. Farmers should be encouraged to increase sorghum production as a way of ensuring food security, and unlocking household income for other pressing family needs.

Keywords: Determinants, Expenditure, Sorghum Producing Households, Food Security, Western Kenya, Uganda