Assessment of post harvest grain management operations and their effects on food security of smallholder households in Kisumu County, Kenya.

Abstract

This study was aimed at assessing effects of post-harvest grain management practices on food security in Muhoroni division of Nyando sub county. The objectives of the study were ; to examine the socio economic and demographic characteristics of farmers sampled , to examine the level of access of the farmers to the sources of improved scientific post-harvest grain management technologies, and to establish the level of food security in the area of the study. The study will be significant to the government, farmers, policy makers and development partners. The theoretical frame work that guided the study was diffusion theory by Everett M. Roggers. The research design used was descriptive design and the sampling design was multistage cluster sampling. The study had a sample size of 120 farmers with the study population of 1200 farmers. Nyando district was purposely selected while the division was selected using simple random sampling. The tools used to gather information were structured questionnaire, in depth interview guide, and observation checklist. Primary data was gathered from interviews, observation, and structured questionnaire, while secondary data was obtained from the archives of various organizations, published and unpublished materials, books, journals, reports and magazines. The study involved both quantitative and qualitative analysis, and was analyzed using (SPSS) computer software. The study revealed that there was food insecurity in Nyando Sub County caused by post-harvest grain management practices. The government through the ministry of Agriculture should start programs aimed at teaching the farmers on proper maize storage and post-harvest handling of maize to reduce maize losses.