Abstract: Over the years, the different cadre of people in communities both in urban and rural settings have been engaged in informal markets to sustain food security in their households. Despite the knowledge gaps on how informal markets can be used, and improve household food security, most people in both rural and urban areas rely on the informal markets for their food needs. The paper examines the contribution of informal market vegetable vending on household food security in western Kenya. The paper used a descriptive cross-section survey to research vegetable vendors in Kapsoit and Ahero markets. The study targeted 140 traders in Ahero and Kapsoit markets located in western Kenya. Yamane’s (1970) formula was used to determine a sample size of 103. Systematic random sampling with an interval of 10 was used to select the 103 respondents in Ahero and Kapsoit markets. Analysis was presented in form of frequencies and percentages. The findings revealed that vegetable vendors were able to increase food availability, and meet their household dietary needs. There was, however, low awareness of food health and safety practices among vegetable vendors. The paper concludes that informal markets of vegetable vendors positively contributed to food availability, consumption of a variety of food, and increased coping strategies for food insecurity in rural households. However, vegetable vendors had low awareness of food health and safety measures. The paper recommends that vendors be offered training on food health and safety in order to produce safe food for their families and other consumers.

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.

Received May 28, 2020; Revised June 4, 2020; Accepted June 12, 2020

Abstract: Over 800 million people in the world are food insecure whereby 180 (23%) million are found in the Sub Saharan Africa. The study set out to establish the relationship between temperature and food security in Kassebwera parish, Butenga Sub County, Bukomansimbi district, Uganda. The study employed both cross-sectional and descriptive survey designs which included mixed methods data collection approaches. The study targeted 1996 people from whom 322 respondents were determined using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size formula. The study employed both purposive and simple random sampling techniques to select the respondents. Data was collected through observation schedule, interview guide and questionnaire. Data was analysed by SPSS (v.16) and content value analysis. Results revealed that, temperature had effects on food security (β= 0.176) that is, unit improvement in temperature results into 0.176 enhancement in food security. Results show a positive significant relationship between temperature and food security (r = 0.197; p < 0.01). The study recommended that, efforts by respective district authorities should be devoted to activities that promote and maintain ideal temperature conditions, awareness and capacity building on sustainable agricultural practices should be enhanced among the households to adapt to temperature changes and their effects on food security.

Received January 9, 2020; Revised March 1, 2020; Accepted March 28, 2020

Abstract: The demand for fertilizer increases with the demand for food as more fertilizer is needed to increase production. This paper assesses the effects, procedures, uses and challenges of human urine as a fertilizer to vegetables growing in Kitemu Zone, Kyengera Town Council (KTC). A case-study design and qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches were used for this paper. Forty five vegetable growers were targeted, of whom 40 were determined using Krejcie and Morgan. Results reveal that human urine is readily available and inexpensive, improves soil and fertility and plant quality, controls and repels pests, increases farmers’ incomes and livelihoods and reduces food contamination and chemical fertilizer use. However, the acceptance of using human urine as fertilizer has many limitations, including low consumption rate of water and soft foods, cultural beliefs, inadequate knowledge about the use of human urine, odour, shame, suspicion and environmental conditions. The paper recommends that KTC should sensitize households on the values of human urine, promote gender sensitivity in human urine collection, storage and application, and demonstration centres should offer short-term courses to households on how to use human urine fertilizer.