Cash Crop Production, Food Security and Nutrition in Rural Households

This book is on effect of sugarcane farming on food security and nutritional status in Nambale Division, Busia District. It is a summary of a study carried out by the author to determine agricultural and economic parameters that affect food supply and nutritional status in rural Kenya in order to assess the extent to which the country is committed to achieving the Millenium Development Goals. The objectives of the study were to describe the relationship between sugarcane farming, food security and nutritional status; and to find out the impact of sugarcane farming on food supply and nutritional status in the study area. The study found that there is competition between cash and food crop cultivation in Nambale division; secondly, there is little motivation for food crop production in Nambale division leading to household food insecurity and thirdly, the people of Nambale division are quietly suffering from malnutrition problems. The book recommends that the sugar industry should conscientiously take care of the needs of small-scale sugarcane farmers not only for their own welfare but also, the sustainability of cultivation of sugarcane for local sugar production.