Analysis of the Supply and Demand Side Determinants of Maize Food Security in Kenya

Abstract

This research paper examines maize food security in Kenya by analyzing the supply and demand-side factors. The objectives of the study include: scrutinizing the prevailing trends of maize food security; establishing the determinants of maize food security; and providing policy implications and recommendations. Secondary time series data for the period 1970-2019 collected from the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture organization was used to achieve these objectives. The methodology used conceptualizes food security as being determined by factors which can be categorized either as supply or demand sided, and are informed by the dimensions of food security - availability, access, and stability. The ordinary least squares approach was applied to evaluate the impact of these factors. Results indicated that maize production and gross national per capita income were significant and positively related to maize food security. The study recommends that the government should enhance access to improved seeds and also increase the land area equipped with irrigation infrastructure, as measures to boost maize production. Likewise, the government should adopt the gross national income per capita as an alternative indicator or trigger for initiating maize subsidy programs to increase maize food security