Effect of soil degradation on households’ food Security in Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Homa-Bay County, Kenya

Abstract

Though food security is a consequence of multiple factors including biodiversity integrity, water security, and human health conditions, soil quality plays an important function in determining the level of food production. Measures such as irrigation, green house technologies, and pest-disease control mechanisms have been used both as long and short term measures to overcome the effects of the aforementioned factors on crop yield. These efforts are more fruitful if soil health is maintained. However, the extent of soil degradation in the area and its effect particularly on food security remain unresolved. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing the effect of soil degradation on food security among the households of Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Homa-Bay County in Kenya. Specifically, it examined the common anthropogenic practices causing soil degradation, established the nexus between soil degradation and food security situation among the households in the area of study, and investigated common soil conservation and management strategies in the area. The Misesian theory of Praxeology was used in this study in which human endeavour (practice or action) based on the desire to fulfil the current existing economic needs such as food, considerably results to soil degradation which consequently limits agricultural opportunities hence causing food insecurity. This consequently provides learning opportunity to human being to re-direct energy towards adopting appropriate soil health management practices. While the study population was approximately 32,500 households, Cochran formula was used to obtain sample size of 289 respondents who were identified using multi-stage together with simple random sampling techniques for quantitative data in addition to 5 Key Informants, who were purposively identified for qualitative data. The study was based on cross-sectional survey study design. The data analyses involved both descriptive and inferential statistics. The data were subjected to significant test using Binary Logistic Regression Data Analyses (BLRDA) at 95% CL. Qualitative analyses were based on opinions drawn from FGDs, KII, Direct Field Observation and questionnaire. Data presentation involved graphs display, charts and drawing tables. The study findings revealed that majority of the respondents indicated that soil degradation is common as a consequence of anthropogenic practices. Among the investigated practices, the findings of BLRDA revealed that stone mining (OR = 2.130, 95% Cl; p < 0.05), conventional-tractor tillage (OR = 2.613, 95% Cl; p < 0.05), together with hill slope cultivation and settlement (OR = 2.227, 95% Cl; p < 0.05) were statistically significant hence accurately predicted food insecurity in the area. The study concludes that these anthropogenic practices are the major cause of soil degradation resulting to reduction in food crop production thus consequently imposing food insecurity threats among the HHs in the study area. The study therefore, recommends suspension of human activities on the steep slopes in the area particularly Homa-Hills, controlling stone extraction, re-viewing the use of tractor farming, and intensive afforestation and reforestation as measures against soil degradation. For further research, the study suggests a study on effect of land degradation on human settlement among the households of Homa-Bay County in Kenya.