Off-Farm Activities and Food Security Status: A Study of Smallholder Farmers in Kilifi South Sub-County, Kenya

J. M. Chege and A. W. Wamukota

Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 2024, vol. 42, issue 12, 8

Abstract: Food security is critical to the economic, social, religious, political and cultural development worldwide. This study goes deeper to investigate the role of off-farm as a livelihood strategy on food security in Kilifi South Sub-county. This Sub-county is one of the areas where food insecurity incidences are prevalent as a result of unpredictable rainfall patterns, sandy soils and high evaporation rate which as a result leads to numerous undesirable effects, such as frequent crop failure, high food commodity prices and famine. The study adopted survey design. The aim was to identify and analyze the role of off-farm activities on food security status among the smallholder farming community members in Kilifi South Sub-county. The objective of this study is to determine the influence of off-farm activities as a livelihood strategy on household food security status among the smallholder farming community in Kilifi South Sub-county. The study administered a standard questionnaire to a sample of 384. Sampling was done by use of systematic sampling procedure. Data was collected on food security status and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. From the information gathered through personal interviews, to determine the influence of participation in off-farm activities the results indicates that kiosks and green grocers were practiced by 32% food secure, while those selling fish were 25% food secure, those operating commercial motorcycling were 15% food insecure and lastly those selling charcoal were 28% food secure. It was therefore concluded that households involved in off-farm activities were food secure. This shows that although off-farm activities are not promising, they are important component of livelihood strategies. To further enhance food security and improve food security status in Kilifi South Sub-county, engagement in off-farm activities should be encouraged. The findings of this study would be beneficial to leaders, stakeholders and policy makers in decision making process pertaining suitable interventions in attainment of food security in Kilifi South Sub-county.

Keywords: Food; Security; and; Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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