Agriculture & Microenterprise Development

Food Security Program
(PL 480 TITLE II)

Project Objective: To achieve sustainable improvement in food security and increase in rural household incomes in Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya where food insecurity is greatest.

Strategy and Activities: The PL 480 Title II program uses food assistance through monetization to raise program funds or through direct distribution.  Local currency proceeds raised through monetization of Food Security commodities are used to fund program activities, such as agricultural/livestock production, marketing of produce, provision of water, sanitation, health, nutrition, and development of rural infrastructure.  

Results:   The following are examples of results achieved under the Food Security program:

a) World Vision – Morulem Irrigation Scheme, Turkana District:  As a result of the project, Farmers have started to a plant a greater variety of different crops and the percentage of farmers who sold cash crops increased significantly. Cow peas, green grams and tomatoes are the most important cash crops. The agro-forestry initiative in the project has been particularly successful.  A total of 26,394 tree seedlings and 16,829 fruit tree (mainly paw-paw) have been planted. Two woodlots, comprising 4 acres in total were also established in the areas where the excess irrigation water drains. Significant progress has also been made in the areas of nutrition (vegetable and fruit consumption), the provision and use of water from safe sources, health and sanitation. The local economy has diversified as a result of the investment made in Morulem Irrigation Scheme. The project contributed towards the creation of an estimated 938 jobs (full and part-time) in the area. The number of direct beneficiaries of the jobs created is estimated at 5630.

b) Technoserve/Heifer Project International – Smallholder Dairy Development Project at the Coast Province, increased the number of households involved in dairy farming from 57 to 555 producing milk at an average of 7.7 litres per cow per day.  The project also increased milk consumption significantly and milk sales at household level. This has direct impacts on household food security and increased rural household incomes.

c) Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) – Food security program in Kitui district:  The project aims at increasing by 20% the proportion of farmer households who are self reliant in annual food needs.  As a result of the project, several households have reported an increase in the length of time between harvests and before food stocks run out. Several farmers have reported increased ability to pay school fees for their children due to increased sales of surplus harvests.  A general reduction in dependence on relief food by the community has been demonstrated.

Partners:  1) World Vision 2) Technoserve/Heifer Project International 3) Adventist Development and Relief Agency 4) Catholic Relief Services 5) CARE International 6) Food for the Hungry International

Geographical Location: Turkana, Kitui, Malindi, Kilifi, Kwale, Taita, Mbeere, Tana River, Suba, Homa Bay, Rachuonyo, Siaya, Kisumu and Marsabit districts.

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