Women Perceived Determinants of Household Food Security

Abstract

Women in most rural communities in Africa dominate farming activities in labour supply and management. Overall, Africa's performance in agricultural production and productivity remains inadequate and the region has failed to make progress in food security (Republic of Kenya, 2002). Mwala Sub County in Machakos County is one of the areas characterized as food insecure. Majority of locals depend largely on agricultural production for their food security. (Ministry of Agriculture, 2011). However, in the last two decades food production among many households has been declining due to unreliable rainfall, inadequate agricultural production skills and land ownership rights amongst women who are the key players in food production in the area (GoK, 2010). Due to this decline, majority of households are depending largely on rationed food relief from government agencies. A study conducted by Mbiuki (2014) shows that due to high food insecurity witnessed in Mwala, it has become hard for the women to invest in other beneficial ventures but spend a huge amount on food items. The study set out to analyze the impact of the women related determinants on household food security in such include effects of rainfall on household food security, impact of women agricultural production skills on household food security and the impact of women land ownership rights and access on household food security in Mwala sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya. The research used descriptive design where a simple random sample of 100 respondents was used to represent women in the sub county. Data was collected using questionnaire, key informants interviews. The results of this study show that women have no title deeds or allotment numbers to the land they operate hence they are unable to access credit to scale up their farming ventures. They have low education levels and only few women have received training on better agricultural production systems which has reduced their productivity. The government has tried to offer them training on improved farming methods and techniques but this has only reached few women in the area. To improve household food security this study recommends that as regards the women, women property rights need to be improved coupled with improved production systems like provision of irrigation water and access to certified seeds and fertlizers. There is also need to train women on modern farming methods to increase their resilience to climate change variability. Therefore there is need to intensify informal training /adult education v and funding opportunities that target women in the sub county to enhance household food security.