Influence of Household Characteristics on Food Security Status of Smallholder Farmers in Kilifi Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Food security is critical to the economic, social, religious, political and cultural development Worldwide. It plays a great role in economic growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development in Kenya. A study was carried out in Kilifi sub- County in the coastal areas of Kenya, one of the areas where food insecurity incidences are prevalent. The study assessed the effect of household characteristics on food security status among smallholder farming communities through interview schedues. Non experimental design using descriptive survey was adopted for the study. Household and farm characteristics data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. The results indicated that 80% of all the farmers were food insecure. Elderly farmers were 1% food secure while adults were (40%) food secure. Households with at most two members were more food secure (10%) while households with >10 members least food secure (2%). Household heads with secondary school level of education were more food secure (10%). Women were more food secure (12%) than males (8%). There was a significant (P= .05) positive relationship between food security and household heads age, marital status and education level. This implies that household heads age, education level and marital status, are some of the most significant issues affecting food security in Kilifi sub-county. To further enhance the understanding and improvement of food security status in Kilifi sub-county, initiation of both formal and adult education is necessary. This will improve households understanding, decision making and adoption of new agricultural innovations hence improved food production and food security levels.