Influence of kinyoo sunflower oil project benefits on community livelihood. A case of Nkumbo community, Meru county, Kenya

Abstract

Agriculture is an important source of income and the world’s largest business. One third of the economically active population obtains its livelihood from agriculture. Smallholder sunflower crop production and sunflower oil processing is an important sector that produces and nourishes rural as well as urban people with quality oil, which is free from cholesterol. The aim of this study therefore was to establish the influence of Kinyoo Sunflower oil project benefits on community livelihood. A case of Nkumbo community, Meru County Kenya. The independent variable was Sunflower oil project while the dependent variable was community livelihood. The objectives of the study were to establish how infrastructural development, financial benefits, social cultural benefits and environmental benefits realized from Kinyoo Sunflower Oil Project influences community livelihood. Literature was reviewed to establish facts as they are in other countries. The researcher adopted descriptive research design because it allows one to use various forms of data as well as incorporating human experience. The target population was people of Nkumbo Community comprising of 2400 people. The researcher had a sample of 240 respondents from the population who and 5 factory workers. To get the sample of 240 persons, the researcher used the 30% rule as taught by Mugenda and Mugenda (2003). From the factory five workers were interviewed. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from the respondents. Interview schedules were used for qualitative while open headed and closed ended questions were used to collect quantitative data. A pilot test was done on three people from the project and five people from the community to determine the accuracy and consistency of the instrument before they were used for collection of actual data. To establish the validity of the instruments, the researcher sought the advice of her supervisor from the Department of Extra Mural Studies, University of Nairobi. To test the internal consistency of the questions listed on the instrument used, test-retest technique was used. This involved administering the same measure of the variable on two separate occasions, two weeks apart. Questionnaires were administered to the respondents on pre-arranged date with the help of research assistants and interviews were conducted by the researcher. Quantitative and qualitative data was generated using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data collected was edited and coded. Descriptive statistics was used that is mean and standard deviation. It was then presented using tables. The names of all the informants were coded to conceal their identity and to maintain confidentiality. It was established that Kinyoo Sunflower Oil project has benefited the community through infrastructural development at 100% availability of roads, hospitals, schools, water and electricity. The community has embraced various livelihood activities but sunflower business is highly practiced. Consequently, the study makes recommendations that the County Government should support the factory through more funding, researcher and marketing of the products from the factory to enable them sell internationally.