Agricultural Extension Activities and Household Food Security in Apac District. A Case of Chegere Sub County

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was on Agricultural Extension Activities and Food Security. Despite several attempts by government and non-governmental organisations, like physical food supply, and supply of Agricultural inputs, Food insecurity still remains a challenge to many households in Uganda. The purpose of the study was to establish how agricultural extension activities affect food security in in Chegere Sub County, Apac district. The study examined the relationship between agricultural Extension Activities and household food security in Chegere Sub County, Apac district. Specifically, the study examined the effect of agricultural Extension Activities on household food Availability, established the contribution of agricultural Extension Activities on household food Access, determined the effects of agricultural Extension Activities on household food Stability and assessed the effect of agricultural activities on food utilisation. The study adopted a cross-sectional study design, which employed a mixed method approach of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study population consisted of 200 which included district and sub-county officials, farmers. Simple random sampling technique and purposive sampling, was used to select a sample size of 108 participants. The researcher used self-administered questionnaires to collect quantitative data, interview guide and focus group discussion guide to collect qualitative data. Descriptive statistics (mean, and standard deviation), and inferential statistics (correlation and regression) were used to analyse numerical data. Content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data from interviews to supplement quantitative data. The findings revealed a statistically significant positive relationship between agricultural Extension Activities and household food security. The study also revealed that agricultural Extension Activities had a significant effect of food availability (B-0.721, P<0.01, food accessibility (B=0.609, P<0.01), and food stability (B=0.761, P<0.01). The study concluded that agricultural Extension Activities significantly affect household food security in Chegere Sub County, Apac district. The study therefore recommended that farmers should diversify production to improve food security. It was also recommended that farmers are encouraged to use improved planting materials to increase production and that farmers should get access to extension information to improve their production. Keywords: Agricultural Extension Activities, Household, Food Security, Apac District and Chegere Sub County