This research proposal sought to investigate the factors contributing to household food insecurity in Twale area, Kenia, to establish the status of household food production, determine household food consumption patterns; establish household food sources, establish the status of household food insecurity and identify coping strategies among the households in the event of food shortage, and to identify the theoretical framework of food insecurity.
Food insecurity is a major development problem that is caused by a myriad of factors in national, regional and local spheres of life. Several efforts have been put in place to alleviate food insecurity globally, nationally, regionally and also even locally. Despite these efforts the situation continue to prevail and sometimes even increase in contemporary human society.
The research design to be employed in the study is cross-sectional research design which sought to obtain information that was to describe the existing status of household food insecurity and coping strategies among the households. A total of 15 households will be systematically sampled from the total population of 40 households in the area. Data will be collected by use of structured questionnaires. The bar graphs will be used to represent the findings of this study.
The field course mainly focuses on the areas and institutions visited by students during field course, the activities carried out by those institutions. The field course forms an integral part of learning experiences. It is undertaken in order for students know how to apply the learned theory and knowledge and skills in the classrooms to the real world. The field course is a 5-day course provided by the school of Arts and social science which aims at exposing the students to the practical element of what happens outside the classrooms and also to understand the social problems and to come up with possible solutions to those problems. During the field course students visited various counties such as Kisumu, Kisumu and Vihiga.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
1.2 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1.4 Purpose of the Study
1.5 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1.5.1 General objectives
1.5.2 Specific objectives
1.6 Research Questions
1.7 Significance of the study
1.8 Scope of study
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 Household Food Production
2.3 Food insecurity in Twale
2.4 FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HOUSEHOLDS FOOD INSECURITY
2.4.1 Factors contributing to Households food insecurity in Africa
2.4.1.1 Natural Hazard factors
2.4.1.2 Population growth
2.4.1.3 Conflicts
2.4.2. Factors contributing to household’s food insecurity in Kenya
2.4.2.1 Marketing and credit systems
2.4.2.2 Access to social services
2.4.2.3 Household economy
2.4.2.4 Knowledge and information systems
2.4.3 Factors contributing to households Food insecurity in Twale Area
2.4.3.1 Land fragmentation
2.4.3.2 Access to infrastructure
2.4.3.3 Rural- urban migration
2.4.3.4 Crop based system
2.5 THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
2.5.1 Based- rights approach to food insecurity
2.5.2 Fresh approach to food insecurity
2.6 Research gap
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 INTRODUCTION
3.2 Research design
3.3 The study Area
3.4 Target population
3.5 Sampling techniques
3.6 Sample Size
3.7 Methods of Data collection
3.7.1 Structured questionnaires
3.7.2 Observation
3.7.3 in depth interview
3.8 Ethical issues to be considered
CHAPTER FOUR
FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. INTRODUCTION
4.2 Household Demographic information
4.2.1 Household size
4.2.2 Education Level households Heads
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary
5.3 Conclusion
5.4.1 Recommendations for Policy Making
5.4.2 Recommendations for Practice
Research Objectives and Focus
This study aims to investigate the factors contributing to household food insecurity in the Twale area of Meru County, Kenya, by assessing the status of household food production, consumption patterns, and existing coping strategies among small-scale farmers.
- Identification of national, regional, and local factors influencing household food insecurity.
- Analysis of agricultural methods and land use practices among Twale residents.
- Evaluation of demographic factors, including household size and education levels of household heads.
- Assessment of food sources and the reliance on market purchases versus own subsistence production.
Excerpt from the Book
2.4.1.1 Natural Hazard factors
Drought and other climatic extremes are major factors contributing to vulnerability to food insecurity. In the Horn of Africa there is no year or season in which the whole region receives normal rainfall and is free from climatic anomalies such as flood or drought. Drought is the most catastrophic natural event that causes widespread periodic famine in the region, but it is by no means the only natural hazard facing the people of the area. Periodically, floods afflict localized parts of even the driest areas (as was the case at the outset of the current crisis), and the threat of locust swarms is often present. For example, during 1997/98 severe floods were observed over many parts of the region, and were followed by the drought that has persisted over parts of the Horn since late 1998. (Gitu 2004)
Drought is a fact of life in many parts of the Horn of Africa - it has been recorded from as far back as 253 B.C. Large parts of the region are arid and semi-arid, with annual rainfall of less than 500 mm and subject to a high degree of unreliability, both from year to year and in the distribution within each year. In the last 30 years there has been at least one major drought episode in each decade. There were serious droughts in 1973/74, 1984/85, 1987, 1992 to 1994 and, now, 1999/2000. In Ethiopia alone, the 1984 drought affected 8.7 million people, about 1 million died and 1.5 million livestock perished. In the Sudan 8.5 million people were affected by the same drought, and about 1 million people and 7 million livestock died. In 1987, about 2 million people in the Sudan, more than 5.2 million in Ethiopia, 1 million in Eritrea and 200 000 in Somalia were severely affected. The current drought, which started in 1998, is affecting about 16 million people Drought is, therefore, a recurring phenomenon in the region and there will always be certain locations experiencing localize situations conditions.
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: This chapter introduces the global and regional context of food insecurity and establishes the research objectives and significance of the study within Twale location.
CHAPTER TWO: This section reviews existing literature regarding household food production and the various factors—ranging from environmental to economic—that contribute to food insecurity.
CHAPTER THREE: This chapter outlines the research methodology, including the cross-sectional design, target population, and data collection techniques like structured questionnaires and interviews.
CHAPTER FOUR: This chapter presents the research findings and discusses demographic characteristics, farm sizes, and the primary sources of food for households in the study area.
CHAPTER FIVE: This chapter provides a final summary, draws conclusions based on the collected data, and offers specific recommendations for policy and practice.
Keywords
Food Insecurity, Household, Twale, Small Scale Farmers, Agriculture, Drought, Land Fragmentation, Coping Strategies, Subsistence Farming, Food Production, Rural Development, Kenya, ASAL, Poverty, Nutrition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research project?
The research investigates the factors that contribute to household food insecurity among small-scale farmers in the Twale area of Meru County, Kenya.
What are the primary thematic areas explored?
The study explores land fragmentation, climate variability, agricultural practices, household demographic information, and the influence of market reliance on food access.
What is the primary objective of this work?
The goal is to determine the local, regional, and national factors contributing to food insecurity in Twale and to provide data that can help improve local food security policies and support programs.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The study utilizes a cross-sectional research design, employing structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and observational checklists to collect primary data from selected households.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical framework of food insecurity, literature review on global and local food production challenges, and a detailed discussion of field findings regarding household size, education, and food sources.
What are the defining keywords for this research?
Key terms include Food Insecurity, Twale, Small Scale Farmers, Agriculture, Drought, Land Fragmentation, and Household Nutrition.
How does land fragmentation specifically affect the Twale area?
Land fragmentation in Twale has led to the subdivision of large-scale farms into small plots, which constrains large-scale crop production and forces farmers to operate at a subsistence level on limited land.
What role do relief supplies play in the Twale community?
The community relies heavily on relief supplies, especially during periods of drought (October to December), provided by organizations such as the Catholic Diocese of Meru, WFP, and the Government of Kenya.
What is the relationship between education level and food production in the study?
The study suggests that lower education levels among household heads in Twale limit the flow of information and the adoption of modern agricultural behaviors, thus impacting food production capabilities.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Humphrey Mutuma (Autor:in), 2020, Factors Contributing to Household-Food Security in Twale Lovation, Tigania, West Sub-County, Meru, Kenia, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/950743
