PR - Optimal Resource Utilisation For Enhancing Household Food Security In Vihiga District, Kenya: Linear Programming Approach

Vihiga, one of the poorest and densely populated districts in Kenya is perpetually food deficit. Poor welfare indicators and failure of farmers to meet targeted production raise a number of questions. In their current financial status is it possible for households to optimally produce maize to meet food security requirements? If so, what levels of inputs should be used and what is the associated cost? Linear programming was applied to household data in Vihiga district to determine optimal resource levels and associated costs of meeting household food needs. Cluster sampling was used with divisions forming the main clusters in the district. Using systematic random sampling, 50 households were selected from each cluster resulting in a sample of 300. Results show that meeting domestic food needs, though attainable, must be accompanied by strict adherence to recommended agronomic practices. Rural folks are more vulnerable to escalating production cost than their urban counterparts.

Key Words: Food security, optimal resource utilization, linear programming, Vihiga, Kenya.