STAKEHOLDER ASPECTS INFLUENCING IMPLEMENTATION OF FOOD SECURITY PROJECTS IN MSAMBWENI DISTRICT, KENYA

Purpose: To determine the stakeholder aspects influencing implementation of food security projects in Msambweni District, KenyaMethodology: The study adopted a cross sectional descriptive case study. The population to be comprised the residents of Msambweni district who practice farming activities. Sampling of farmers was done at random from the existing divisions and locations of Msambweni district. The primary data was gathered using questionnaires that were semi-structured. Descriptive analysis was used and this included the use of weighted means, standard deviation, relative frequencies and percentages. The results of the analysis were presented using tables, percentages and bar-charts.Results: Results indicated that land ownership was a key determinant in influencing food projects implementation. The findings indicated that land ownership made the implementation of food security projects easy and faster. There was a positive and significant relationship between food security project implementation and land ownership. The findings also indicated that there are taboos in their community which discourage some types of farming methods and some food crops and if people in Msambweni were to disregard cultural beliefs farm productivity and food sufficiency would change positively. The findings were also supported by a negative correlation and the relationship between food project and cultural practices was found not to be statistically significant. Results indicated that farming methods and inputs were key determinants of food security project implementation. The findings indicated that farming methods influenced the implementation of food projects at Msambweni district. The correlation between farming methods and food security project implementation was found to be strong and positive. Results indicated that education was a key factor that influences food security project implementation. However the findings also indicated that education level of the respondents did not matter so much as long as they apply the correct farming methods and attend farming seminars and workshops. There results also showed that there was a positive and significant relationship between education level and food security project implementation.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Based on the results, it is recommended to the farmers to ensure that they retain their own lands and avoid selling and put the land into good use by practicing farming. It is recommended to the farmers that they review the existing taboos and beliefs and disregard them as this can lead to improved food security due to embracement of the government food security project implementation. It is also recommended that the farmers should have an open mind in fighting hunger as this will ensure that all people work to the betterment of improving food security issues regardless of the religion and culture. It is further recommended to the farmers to evaluate the advantages of mechanized farming methods and traditional farming practices and embrace the better option. The study also recommends that the farmers should attend the farmer’s workshops and seminars organized by the government to exchange ideas and learn also new tactics of farming activities. The study recommends that the farmers to organize themselves in groups to invite the agricultural officers so that they can be trained on various farming methods and on how to improve their productivity. It is also recommended that the government should look for ways of communication modern methods of farming using locally understood languages to ensure that the whole country embraces changes at the same pace.