Prospective Impetus of Agriculture Services Post Devolution on Household Food Security among Smallholder Farmers in Eastern Kenya

Abstract

Background: Food and nutrition security is a major challenge worldwide. Food insecurity ranges from moderate to severe and Kenya’s expanding population coupled with challenges in agricultural extension service provision exacerbates the problem. Food insecurity and malnutrition remain common in the country, despite the administration’s various efforts to address these challenges. Methods: This study aimed at assessing the effect of changes of agriculture services post devolution on household food security. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 428 respondents were selected through multistage stratified sampling. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Food security was calculated using food consumption score index while ordered probit was used to model the relationship between the changes post devolution and household food security. The study also used an ordered probit model to assess how changes in agricultural services under devolution affect household food security. Result: The analysis of food consumption scores indicates that 57% of farm households achieved an adequate level of dietary diversity, while 39% fell into the borderline category and 4% were classified as poor. The results show that reliable extension services, subsidized inputs, market links and higher farm profitability had a positive impact while access to superior animal breeds and interruptions in input availability had a negative impact on food security. The findings underscore the importance of dependable and economically priced agricultural services supported by enabling systems for long-term food security improvement.