Produce Management and Household Food Security in Kwanza Sub county- Trans Nzoia County, Kenya

Philipa Mtamira, Dr. Wilkister Milimu Shanyisa & Mr. Philip Patrick Ombugu
The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Corresponding Author: pippamta8@gmail.com

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine how produce management practices affecting household food security in Kwanza sub County. The world has been struggling with food insecurity; postharvest losses is one of the major challenges in the world. Household food insecurity is a recurrent challenge for smallholder farmers. This research employed General systems theory. The research found descriptive research design most appropriate and incorporated a mixed method of data collection. A sample size of 395 farming households, which included county officials and agricultural extension officers; calculated with the help of Yamane formula. The study used questionnaires to collect data. The analysis was done through SPSS version 25. The study revealed that the harvesting mechanism mainly employed was handpicking and activities done mainly at postharvest was threshing. Traditional produce storages were found to be more susceptible to pest storage with losses ranging from weevil attacks, discoloration, spillage contamination, rotten grains to broken grain. Another finding was that the farming households are not able to have access to metal silos because of its high cost. The results demonstrate that effective produce management practices are crucial in transforming household food security. The study recommends the integration of produce management practices in the national strategic plans by engaging all stakeholders. Training for community should be considered in order to enhance household’s food security, road network and metal silos should be cost friendly.