The impact of sugarcane growing on household food security and health in kitayundwa sub-county, Kamuli district

Abstract

The study was conducted on the impact of sugarcane growing on household food security kitayundwa sub county Kamuli district. The study design was a cross sectional research design and a sample size 50 of respondents was adopted using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using questionnaire that was designed for both farmers and stakeholders and presented in form of frequency tables and charts both pie charts and graphs. The research based on three objectives which included the percentage of land used for sugarcane growing, the effects of sugarcane growing on food security, and the strategies to increase food security. The findings show that much land is used for sugarcane growing and it approximately to 61.1% and a small portion of land which is 38.9% is left for food crop. This has led to shortage of food produced hence impacting on the food security negatively. The research findings showed that sugarcane growing has created many effects on food security which have left many families in a starving situation and lastly the research looked at the possible strategies that could be used to increase on the food security in the kitayundwa Sub-County. The study came up with some recommendations to household food security as follows Numerous measures can be used to reduce food insecurity at the household level. However, the approach used should be carefu1y chosen. Simple approaches which are oriented to very short-term interventions may divert attention and resources from broader strategies with a better chance of effecting long-term improvements in food situations at the household level. To be with adequate food for the population’s requirements, the country needs sound agricultural policies that promote production, preservation and distribution of food to members of the society. It also requires policies that would enable households to have at their disposal adequate food or income to purchase adequate food to meet their requirements at all times. The main issue is that agricultural policies should address themselves to include maximization of domestic food production, prices paid to farmers and the marketing systems for their products. Agricultural policies should also be formulated in such a way that farmers are encouraged to integrate food crops with cash crops production.