Abstract:
Food availability in households is dependent on how decision-making processes along the
production chain are managed between male and female spouses. Food production chain
starts from land preparation, purchase of inputs, planting, weeding, harvesting, storing,
management, consumption and selling of harvested foodstuffs. However, in most rural
households in Kenya, and Lugari district in particular, decision-making along this
household food chain is influenced by gender dynamics on socio-cultural factors which
shape the way such decisions are made. The objective of this study was therefore to
assess these dynamics in relation to decision-making on food security at the household
level. In particular, it sought to investigate gender manifestations on socio-cultural factors
and the way they influence decision-making processes on the entire food production
chain; management, storage and consumption in rural households. Using Gender
differences, Human Capital and Elite power theories, the study examined how decision-
making process on food security at the household level was influenced by gender
dynamics. It investigated gender dynamics in decision-making using social-cultural
factors amongst them education, income, leadership and how they influenced decision-
making process on food security in rural households. The study was significant because
of its benefits both males and females including policy makers. It used a survey design to
collect data which was obtained by use of interview schedules from a sample of 260
respondents drawn from a frame of desegregated households selected from a population
of rural households using proportionate and systematic sampling procedures. Data
collected was analysed using SPPS Computer Programme and presented in form of
descriptive statistics which included tables, frequencies and percentages. The study
established that food security at the household level was affected by gender dynamics on
socio-cultural factors which shaped the decision making. The study recommends the
establishment of a gender specific education policy on household food production and
management to be incorporated in the university, research institutions, tertiary and
secondary school's curricula as a guide for studying and understanding gender dynamics
on food production and management at the household level in Lugari district and Kenya
as a whole. This curricula should be done through the Ministries handling Agriculture,
Gender, Children and Sports and used as a guide in workshops to empower rural
households in decision-making on food production at the household level.
