Influence of Post-Harvest Technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

Abstract: Crop yields have decreased globally due to declining investments in research and infrastructure, which are preconditions for food security. The study established the Influence of Post-Harvest technology on Food Security in Narok East sub-County, Kenya, which is a rural subCounty in Narok County. A descriptive research design was adopted by the study. The target population is comprised of 25078 households distributed proportionally in the four wards and is involved in different farming activities. A sample of 378 household heads was determined using the sample size determination formula. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire and an interview guide. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics of frequencies, percentages and inferential statistics of correlation, ANOVA and regression analysis. The results were presented using frequency and percentages, tables and charts. The relationship between the variables was tested at a significant level of 0.05. The results show that there is a strong, positive and significant correlation between post-harvest technology and food security in the sub-County (r = .606** and p-value = 0.000). This implies that the relationship between the variables is very significant hence post-harvest technology is a strong determinant of food security in the study area. The study concludes that ANOVA model indicated a very significant and statistical relationship between post-harvest technology and food security. The study is beneficial to all the stakeholders in rural areas in Kenya who have consistently experienced food insecurity as it will provide appropriate data that will be used for policymaking. 1. Introduction A number of global agreements like the World Food Summit (1996) and Millennium Summit (2000) have set goals and specific targets for collective action in reducing the incidence of hunger and food insecurity. Collectively, food insecurity reduces global economic efficiency by 2%–3% yearly (USD 1.4– 2.1 trillion), with individual nation costs projected at 10% of GDP (Harrigan, 2014). According to Béné (2020), global food security is likely to remain a problem worldwide for many years if the world cannot formulate methods to control the situation. While agro-ecological approaches give some promise for yield improvement, increases in investment and policy reforms could significantly improve food security globally if well implemented. According to Béné (2020), the number of hungry people worldwide grew by reaching 1.3 billion in 2019. Global economic changes, including rising global food and oil prices, have impacted worldwide food security with particularly severe effects in low-income countries (Gartland & Gartland, 2018). Africa has been struggling in one form or another with food insecurity for almost half a century due to a number of factors, including distribution obstacles, global climate change, lack of successful local agriculture and inability or disinterest to act by local officials (Kileteny & Wakhungu, 2019). Although most people would concur that each of these factors carries at least some logic, there is far less international accord on the best solution to the crisis. Ever since food aid to Africa began in the late 1950s, the predicament has been characterised as a supply affair. Inadequacy of successful and widespread agriculture in SSA led to the inability of local governments to provide enough food for their populations (Gwada et al., 2020). According to Brown (2016), Africa can accomplish Agenda 2063, if present day agriculture and expanded productivity and production are upgraded. The Comprehensive African Agricultural Keywords: Arid and semi-arid areas, Food security, Post-harvest Technology, Rural development.