Factors influencing the implementation of African christian church & schools food Security project. A case of Maai Mahiu ward, Nakuru county, Kenya

Abstract

Food insecurity is a pressing global challenge and remains an elusive goal in many parts of the world despite the concerted efforts of governments, non-governmental and international agencies over the past years. An estimated 925 million people around the world were undernourished in the year 2010 (FAO, 2011). All nations signatory to the Millennium Declaration of the year 2000, have a goal of reducing hunger and extreme poverty by halve by the year 2015 in fulfillment of the MDG goal number one. This study was carried out to assess the factors influencing the implementation of African Christian Church and Schools food security project, a case of Maai Mahiu Ward, Nakuru County. The objectives of the study was to: establish the influence of personal attribute of the project beneficiaries on the implementation of African Christian Food security project in Maai Mahiu Ward; determine the extent to which capacity building of the project beneficiaries influence implementation of African Christian Church and Schools Food security project in Maai Mahiu Ward; determine the influence of funding of project beneficiaries on the implementation of African Christian Church and Schools Food security project in Maai Mahiu Ward and investigate the influence of the monitoring and evaluation on the implementation of African Christian Church and Schools Food security project in Maai Mahiu Ward. The research study used descriptive survey design which is under quantitative approach. The 1200 farmers who are project participant represented the target population. The determination of the sample size was guided by the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) (Appendix III). According to the table, for a target population of 1200 farmers, an optimum sample size of 291 farmers is appropriate. Data collection was done using a questionnaire. The study instruments were validated prior to actual data collection by close consultation with research experts and peer students. Obtained raw data were systematically organized, coded, analyzed through descriptive Statistics with aid of computer software, Statistics Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) and finally presented using percentage and frequency distribution tables. The Research findings showed that demographic characteristics; gender, age, marital status and family size had a great influence on implementation of ACC and S food Security Project. The study also found that education level does not directly influence implementation of ACC and S Food Security Project but capacity building and the level of household income has a great influence on ACC and S Food Security Project implementation. The study revealed that timely provision of funding has a great influence on ACC and S Food Security Project implementation. The Study showed that Monitoring and Evaluation has a great influence on project implementation and that beneficiaries should be involved in all stages of Monitoring and Evaluation. The study recommends that farmers training should be organized within their communities so that women can be able to access the trainings. The study also recommends for more involvement of the youths in farming activities.