Influence Of Adoption Of Agricultural Technology On Food Security In Yala Township Location, Siaya County, Kenya

Abstract

In Siaya County, 37% of the county’s population is food insecure with about 58% rural inhabitants living below the absolute poverty. Food security has remained challenge. Yala Township Location in Gem Sub County, which is the focus of the study, was the Location of choice because it has been a beneficiary of the Millennium Villages project (MVP). The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of agricultural technology adoption on food security in Yala Township Location. The study was centered on the following research objectives: To identify the extent to which the adoption of technologically enhanced inputs has influenced food security in Yala Township Location; To determine the extent to which adoption of quality crop has influenced food security in Yala Township Location; To identify the extent to which value addition on farm produce has influenced food security in Yala Township Location and To determine the extent to which agro-forestry has influenced food security in Yala Township Location. Descriptive survey research design was used in the study for a Target population of 6, 421 faming households in Yala Township Location. The proposed sample size was 364 respondents from Nyamninia, Jina, Marenyo, Sauri and Anyiko sub locations each with 13, 15, 18, 11 and 4 villages respectively. A questionnaire was used to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The sample size of the study was 364 respondents. The split half technique of assessing reliability was used for the study. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, Version 17) to generate quantitative data and qualitative data. Correlation data analysis technique was organized in key thematic areas in line with the objectives of the study to enhance more understanding on the description of the quantitative findings. A systematic analysis and interpretation was undertaken to form the results. Multiple regression analysis was used to show the interrelationship between the variables in the conceptual framework. Findings of the study revealed that: majority 207(61.1%) of farmers in Yala Township Location did not adopt inorganic fertilizers as one of the technologically enhanced inputs. 202(59.6%) did not apply crop protection products on their farms. Majority of farmers 170(84.15%) who adopted crop protection products were satisfied with crop yields, indicating that application of crop protection products improved the quantity of yields. Majority of farmers 322(95%) did not practice irrigation; 15(4.5%) farmers who practiced irrigation were satisfied with yields. Majority of farmers 202(59.6%) did not practice soil conservation measures. Majority of farmers 311(91.8%) practiced value addition on farm produce. Majority 322(95%) of farmers in Yala Township Location who practiced value addition on farm produce didn’t go without food because there wasn’t enough, implying that there was enough food to be eaten courtesy of value addition on farm produce. Finally, majority 219(64.6%) of farmers in Yala Township Location practiced agro-forestry. Majority 210(62%) farmers who practiced agro-forestry did not borrow food from a friend or neighbour, indicating that they had enough food to eat as a result of practicing agro-forestry. Based on the study findings, the study recommends that: farmers should be encouraged to adopt the application of inorganic fertilizer in their farms in order to enhance the quantity of crop yield. A multi-prolonged awareness creation campaign strategy about the significance of irrigation should be initiated in Yala Township Location. Farmers should be advised to consistently practice value addition on farm produce in order to reap its benefit of increasing the longevity of crop life. Farmers should be encouraged to adopt agro-forestry in order to maintain the soil value which by extension manifests on boosting crop yield. Implementations of these recommendations would assist in redeeming food insecurity widely witnessed in Yala Township Location.