Food Production and Food Security Among Women in Evurore, Mbeere-Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the socio-economic and cultural factors influencing food production among women in Evuvore Division, Mbeere District in Eastern Province, hence the food security status of the respondents. Data was collected through an interview schedule and an observation checklist. The sample consisted of 103 household s sampled using cluster and random sampling techniques. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to obtain the relationship between isolated independent variables and the dependent variable. The findings revealed low literacy levels among the respondents, 67.96% were primary school dropouts while 26.21% had no formal education. The household sizes were large with a mean of six members. The incomes were low and levels of technology employed low, a traditional dagger muro was still in use. The respondents were found to have moderate food insecurity and inadequate nutrient intake since 83.35% had low dietary diversity. They were very vulnerable to food insecurity. There is need to improve the well being of the producers in order to enhance food production and food security.

Autorentext

Dorothy Mituki obtained her MSc in Foods Nutrition & Dietetics in 2003 from Kenyatta University. Currently she is an assistant Lecturer at Egerton University-Department of Human Nutrition. She teaches Community Nutrition; Programme Planning & Management and Research Methods in Foods & Nutrition. She has expertise in Monitoring & Evaluation