Relationship between Adoption of Devolved Agricultural System of Governance and Enhancement of Food Security in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

Abstract

This study examined the adoption of the devolved system of governance in Agriculture in enhancing food security in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following research objectives; the general objective was to examine the relationship between adoption of devolved agricultural system of governance and enhancement of food security in Uasin Gishu County. Specifically it was guided by the following specific objectives: to assess the relationship between devolved agricultural staff and enhancement of food security in Uasin Gishu County, to examine the relationship between the devolved agricultural extension services and enhancement of food security in Uasin Gishu County, to establish the relationship between devolved Public Private Partnerships and enhancement of food security in Uasin Gishu County and to assess the relationship between devolved funds allocation and enhancement of food security in Uasin Gishu County. Souffle Theory of Decentralization was used to inform the study. A total of 383 respondents were used in the study. Descriptive survey and the causal research design were used in this study. Primary and secondary data was used. The data collected was analyzed by both descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study found that devolved public private partnerships, devolved staff and devolved funds significantly enhance food security. Devolved agricultural extension services do not significantly enhance food security. The study concludes that devolved public private partnership contributes to enhancement of food security. Devolved Agricultural Staff enhances food Security while devolved agricultural extension service does not enhance food security. The study recommends that both the national and county government should come up with good policies such as guidelines on devolutions of agricultural system, land use policies to aid in better management of the risks involved in the whole devolution of the agricultural system. The Kenyan government should build a platform to promote dialogue and cooperation among relevant institutions and programs in all sectors with the aim of developing an extension and information services network for food security.