Contribution of Income Generating Activities by Self-Help Groups on Food Security of Pastoralists in Marsabit County

Abstract

Food security is a concept that originated in early 1970s during the global food crisis. It is situation that exists when all people at all times have physical, social and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. Self-Help Groups (SHGs) has defined as mutually organized groups of individuals that undertake collective action with the main aim of improving ones. The main objective of this paper was to determine contribution of Income Generation Activities by SHG on food security of pastoralists in Marsabit County. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population was 100 registered and active SHGs consisting of 3,840 members. The sample size for the study was 349. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 28 and excel software and results presented in graphs, tables and charts. Significance level of 0.005 was used to test the relationships between variables. The study results indicated that there was high and significant correlation between access to income generating activities (IGAs) and food security of pastoralists in Marsabit County (r=0.611; p<0.05). This study concludes that IGAs are very important in promoting food security for residents of Marsabit County. The study further concludes that access to resources is a significant variable in the improvement of food security of pastoralists in Marsabit County. The study recommends that there is need to develop procedures/modalities of establishing a vibrant seed multiplication and distribution network for the ASALs involving partnerships with private sector and communities Intensify and expand multiplication, packaging and distribution of appropriate dry-land seeds and their agronomic packages. Furthermore, there is need of validation and dissemination of technologies to enhance dry-land farming (water management, soil fertility management and irrigation models) with key focus to pastoralists. The study will contribute greatly towards understanding of food security and self-help group, which will be used by non-governmental organizations, national government, county government in implementation of projects, and formulation of policies benefitting ASAL and pastoralist communities. Key words: Access, Food Security, Income Generating Activities, Marsabit County Pastoralism, Self-Help Groups