Environmental determinants to household food security in Kyangwithya West location of Kitui County

Abstract

This study analyzed the environmental determinants to household food security in Kyangwithya West location of Kitui County. Quantitative data were collected using systematic sampling method to select 344 households with the aid of a structured questionnaire. Qualitative data was obtained from key informants and focus group discussants that were purposively sampled. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and presented using tables and verbatim narratives. The findings revealed that majority (89%) of the participants had experienced weather changes in the study area and a significant number (27%) were food secure. Few households (11%) had not observed any weather change and (28%) of them were food secure. The weather changes observed were assessed and inadequate rainfall was observed by majority (82%) of the respondents (26%) of whom were food secure. High temperatures were reported by (12%) of the respondents (28%) of whom were food secure. Recurrent drought was reported by the least number of respondents (6%) that were the most food secure (30%). Influence of cutting trees on household food security revealed that majority (82%) of the respondents do not cut tree and are more food secure (29) compared to the few (18%) who cut trees. The results reveal that majority of the households observed changes in weather patterns although the percentage of the food secure was low. Inadequate rainfall was the most observed weather change with the most influence on household food security followed by high temperatures and recurrent droughts. Majority of the households did not cut trees and are more food secure than those that cut trees. Environmental factors are thus significant determinants to household food security. The study recommended that regular updates on weather forecast be made available to households to enable them make informed plans during planting seasons.