Role of hybrid maize adoption on food security in Kenya: an application of two-step generalized method of moments (gmm2s)

Zachary M. Gitonga and Hugo De Groote

No 246315, 2016 Fifth International Conference, September 23-26, 2016, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from African Association of Agricultural Economists (AAAE)

Abstract: Kenya has made significant strides in developing hybrid maize varieties and is considered a success story in the region. The number of hybrid varieties released per year has been increasing but average maize yields and consumption have been declining resulting to food insecurity in both urban and rural areas. Past studies evaluated the impact of hybrid maize on income inequality and poverty but none on food security impact in Kenya. This paper used representative data from 1344 households to answer this question. Three food security indicators are considered: Months of adequate household food provisioning (MAHFP), household food insecurity access scale (HFIAS) scores and household food insecurity access prevalence (HFIAP). The paper applies two step gmm2s specification and corresponding tests for relevance and validity of the instruments. Household food insecurity prevalence is assessed using generalized ordered logit model. Food security increase with hybrid maize adoption, maize sales, wealth, education, access to financial services and irrigation water but decline with household size. Food security also vary with agro ecological zones. Hybrid maize adoption reduces the risk of being moderately and severely food insecure by 5% and 13% respectively. Results suggest the need for policies that enhance hybrid seed adoption, surplus production, education, improve welfare and promote family planning.

Keywords: Consumer/Household Economics; Food Security and Poverty (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 24
Date: 2016-09
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aaae16:246315

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.246315

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