INFLUENCE OF IRRIGATION WATER SUPPLY ON FOOD SECURITY AMONG HOUSEHOLDS IN LARE WARD IN NJORO SUB-COUNTY, NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Food security over the last few decades has largely focused on production and the challenges facing the agricultural systems. The concept of food security has also been directly associated with hunger, poverty and humanitarian aspects. In Kenya, food insecurity affects people living in the rural, urban, high potential, arid and semi-arid areas and the current food policies have had limited success. This study employed a descriptive survey research design to assess the influence of irrigation water supply on food security among households in Lare Ward in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya. A random sample of 97 households in Lare Ward of Njoro Sub-County was conducted. Data was collected using structured questionaires. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to summarise data while inferential statistics in form of chi-square was used to test the formulated research hypothesis. The study found that irrigation water supply had significant influence on food security. It thus recommended that water harvesting should be promoted by both the County and National Governments so as to have enough water throughout the year for irrigation purposes which will in turn boost food Security in the area of concern for this study in particular and the whole Country in general.