Factors influencing the contribution of urban and periurban agriculture to household food security in Kericho county, Kenya

Abstract

Many households are consistently turning to Urban and Peri-urban food production for consumption and commercial purposes. However, there is limited research, if any, that has been conducted to explore the effect of Urban and Peri-urban Farming on household livelihoods, food security and income. The purpose of this research was to identify aspects influencing the role of Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture (UPA) in household food security in Kericho County. The following research objectives directed the research; to establish the effect of extension services on the household food security; to determine the effect of farmer characteristics (age, gender, education level, employment status, farm income) on food security; to describe the influence of production characteristics (size of the land, land ownership, inputs) on household food security and analyse the influence of farmers’ access to the market on the household food security. A descriptive research design was used in the study. The targeted population comprised of 3487 urban and peri-urban agriculturalists in Kericho County. A sample of 341 Urban and peri-urban agriculturalists was sampled using Multistage Sampling method. Data was collected using a structured and unstructured questionnaire. Data were then analysed using frequencies and percentages while hypotheses were tested using chi-square and regression analysis at 0.05 alpha level. Inferential statistics were calculated using SPSS Software Version 21.0. The results revealed that a unit increase in extension services increases household food security by a margin of 0.712, and a unit increase in farmer characteristics increases household food security by a margin of 0.674. Similarly, a unit increase in production characteristics increases household food security by a margin of 0.791, and unit increase in access to market increases access to household food security by a margin of 0.833. The study concluded that extension services, farmer characteristics production characteristics and access to market directly influence household food security in Kericho County. Based on the outcomes of the research, it is suggested that the County Government and other stakeholders provide capacity enhancement to the farmers in the urban and Peri-urban setting to enhance food sustainability in the county. The study results will be useful to the County government in planning and policy-making. The academicians and researchers can also be advantaged by this study's findings in filling the knowledge gap about the study area.