The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of food price changes and relative household incomes on household food expenditure patterns in Kenya. Primary data on household budgets... Show moreThe main objective of this study was to determine the effects of food price changes and relative household incomes on household food expenditure patterns in Kenya. Primary data on household budgets and monthly market prices for selected food items were collected in two agroecological zones of Vihiga district (Western Province) for the main crop year 1993/1994. The study reveals a significant effect of seasonal price fluctuations on household food expenditure patterns. This is exhibited by reduced food expenditures and, by implication, reduced food consumption during the preharvest season. The study concludes that the combined effects of high population growth rates, high population density leading to declining or stagnant food production capacities, and the adverse effects of high food prices caused by the effects of the ongoing structural adjustment programmes will continue to increase food demand in rural areas and reduce purchasing power of households, with adverse effects on the welfare of the population. (Food and Nutrition Studies Programme Report no. 57, 1995) Show less
Chronic malnutrition has been consistently high in Kilifi District, Kenya, despite efforts to improve nutrition. This report presents an alternative approach to nutrition planning in Kilifi... Show moreChronic malnutrition has been consistently high in Kilifi District, Kenya, despite efforts to improve nutrition. This report presents an alternative approach to nutrition planning in Kilifi District, taking into account the multidimensional and multidisciplinary nature of nutrition. This approach incorporates the following processes: intersectoral collaboration and a participatory approach to solving nutritional problems; use of existing structures to implement food security and nutrition surveillance to provide information for district nutrition planning. Show less
Leiden [etc.] : African Studies Centre [etc.] (FNSP Report, no. 55), p. 71, 1995. This study investigates the effects of a unimodal climatic pattern on household food availability among rural... Show moreLeiden [etc.] : African Studies Centre [etc.] (FNSP Report, no. 55), p. 71, 1995. This study investigates the effects of a unimodal climatic pattern on household food availability among rural households with limited landholdings and low cash incomes, and how this in turn affects food consumption and the nutritional status of the nutritionally vulnerable household members, namely preschool children, lactating women and the elderly. Research was carried out over a 15-month period in 1992/1993 among 94 households in Nakuru district, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. The results show that most of the smallholder rural households in the unimodal climatic areas of Kenya may be food insecure as they do not produce adequate amounts of food to last them from one harvest to the next. This is mainly due to such factors as limited landholdings, seasonality in rainfall patterns and large families. Recommendations for improving this situation conclude the study. Show less
