Farming practices and food security of smallholder farmers in kiruhura district, south western Uganda

Abstract

This study examined how farming practices influence smallholder farmers’ food security in Kiruhura district of Uganda. The specific objectives were to: describe the farming practices of smallholder farmers in Kiruhura district; determine the factors that influence the selection of farming practices among farmers in Kiruhura district, and to establish the relationship between household farming practices and household food security. Data were collected from a cross-sectional survey using questionnaires from a sample size of 310. In addition, key informant interviews and field observations was done. The study findings showed that most smallholder farmers used varied levels of external inputs in agricultural production with about half of them combining use of external inputs with traditional farming practices. The choice of the farming practice to use was influenced by human, financial, social and natural factors, but natural factors have the greatest influence. Further, the dimensions of food security it is food availability and access that were assessed. The results showed that households that practiced high external inputs dependency farming were more food secure (food availability) than those that did not use external inputs in farming. The study revealed that there was a statistical difference between farming practices and food security within smallholder farmers at a 10% level of significance. Hence, farming practices that involve use of external inputs can significantly contribute to food security. Given that choice of whether or not to use external inputs largely depends on natural factors, designing interventions that conserve soil and water, and those that improve soil fertility to improve food security can enhance food security.