Influence of Agricultural Extension on Household Food Security Status among the Smallholder Farmers

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 South Sub-county in the coastal areas of Kenya, one of the areas where food insecurity incidences are prevalent. The study assessed the effect of the agricultural extension on household food security status among smallholder farming communities through interview schedules. Non-experimental design using descriptive survey was adopted for the study. Method of agricultural extension used, the motivation for participation in extension and technologies used concerning weather change data was analysed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. The results indicated that 80% of all the farmers were food insecure. Those who used individual farm visits were 12% food secure while those whose motivation was increased farm productivity were 18% food secure. The farmers who planted early were 11% food secure. Farmers who used group method of an extension were 3% food secure while those who used farmer field days were 6% food secure. Farmers who were motivated to participate in agricultural extension to increase land fertility were 2% food secure while those who planted new varieties were 9% food secure. There was a significant (P= .05) positive relationship between food security and those who used individual farm visits, those who were motivated by increased farm productivity and those who practised early planting. This implies that individual farm visits, increased farm production and early planting are some of the most significant issues affecting food security in Kilifi South Sub-county. To further enhance the improvement of food security status in Kilifi South Sub-county, individual farm visits, increased farm production and early planting are necessary. This will help households make long-term investments in new agricultural innovations hence improved food production and food security levels.