Influence of food for work projects on the livelihoods of the residents of Mogotio division, Baringo county
Kosgei, Nancy J
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The drought in Kenya that began in 1998 was as a result of failure of the short rains, which made Government of Kenya(GOK) to operate a relief food assistance programme. The GOK recognized that the response to the drought stress should not only take the form of but also urgent recovery and rehabilitation responses. GOK sent an appeal, jointly prepared by WFP and NGOs for local and international assistance to combat the drought stress at the end of November 1999. WFP's emergency assistance to drought affected people in Rift Valley, North Eastern, Eastern and Coast regions of Kenya (emop6203). The World Food Programme worked with World Vision Kenya in supplying food and coordinated Food For Work projects in the areas affected by the drought from 2001, this included Mogotio Division in Baringo County, Rift Valley Province. Food for work projects was used so as to improve on food security and have sustainable livelihoods of the people in the areas affected by drought. This study therefore attempted to assess the influence of Food For Work projects on the livelihoods of the residents of Mogotio Division. The objectives for the study were to establish and assess the influence of soil conservation,aforestation and reconstruction on the livelihoods of the Residents of Mogotio Division, Baringo County. Research questions were also used for this study. The study adopted the descriptive survey design which was usefull in collecting more information. A representative sample was selected from the population using stratified random and systematic sampling to avoid biased information. The study sampled 228 respondents from the target population,144 respondents filled in and returned the questionnaires thus achieving a response rate of 63% response rate. Data was collected by use of questionnaires which were distributed to different households and people within the sampled population to get valid and reliable information. The findings of the study indicated that:63.9% of the respondents were not employed,77.5% earn less than kshs.5000 per month,61.8% do not use fertilizers in planting while 75% of the respondents use organic fertilizers. 75.7% of the respondents indicated that farm workers comprise of female and 52.8% of the workers are aged between 34 and 41years.The study further found that 78.5% of the respondents indicated there are cases of malnutrition of children in the area and 62.5% take one meal per day. The study fmally found out that food for work projects has led to increase in food supply.However there is disagreement that food for work has led to increase in harvest, income,improved infrastructure and easy access to markets.lnferential analysis shows that there exist a strong positive correlation between livelihoods and soil conservation,aforestation and reconstruction. The study recommends that for soil conservation to have a possitive influence on the livelihoods of the Residents in Mogotio division, the government in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders should work towards ensuring proper use of fertilizers on the planting land and provide the community in the area and the County as a whole with farming equipments and irrigation technology so as to enhance their livelihoods through food for work projects. The study further recommends that since the influence of reconstruction and aforestation on the livelihoods of the residents in Mogotio Division is not well pronounced, there is need for cooperation and harmonised coordination of reconstruction efforts involving the government authorities, the non-governmental organizations and the community at large.