An evaluation of relevance and efficacy i f free relief seeds distribution in Tseikuru division of Mwing district, Kenya
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Date
2007-10
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Kampala International University, College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Abstract
This study is an evaluation of relevance and efficacy of free relief seeds distribution on seed security in Tseikuru division of Mwingi district, Kenya. The distribution exercise has been done almost consistently since 1993. Coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture under the umbrella of Drought Recovery Programme, the distribution has been expected to alleviate seed shortages particularly among those vulnerable members of the community who cannot acquire seeds on their own. The need to carry out the evaluation was necessitated by the fact that there has been complains that the community has not been involved in targeting of the beneficiaries besides some inappropriate seeds being distributed to the farmers and that the distribution has always been
carried out rather late when able farmers have already planted. The purpose of the study was therefore to evaluate the relevance and efficacy of free relief seeds distribution on seed security among the vulnerable farmers in the division. An evaluation research design methodology, summative evaluation: that assesses relevance, timeliness, adequacy of the eventual outputs in terms of the needs of the beneficiaries, use of outputs by the beneficiaries to produce effects, nature and extend of benefits generated was used. Several sampling techniques were used in the study, firstly systematic sampling that was used to identify the three sub- locations out of the twelve in the division where the study was conducted. Secondly convenience sampling technique was used to select the beneficiary farmers’ category and thirdly purposive sampling that was used to identify the local leaders and the extension service providers’
categories. In total one hundred respondents were used for the study out of the
five thousand, five hundred and seventy one sample size. Using closed-ended questionnaires for beneficiary farmers and local leaders’ categories, and unstructured interview guide primary data was collected and
analyzed into percentages. By use of Microsoft excel package the data was transformed into pie charts or bar graphs. The study established that community involvement in beneficiary identification was quite limited and identification rationale was not well articulated by the community. It also established that some crop seed varieties were appropriate in terms of produce acceptability for utilization such as maize, Bulrush millet and Cowpeas, while sorghum had poor utilization aspects. In terms of agro-ecological suitability Bulrush millet and Cowpeas were highly suited while sorghum was fairly suited. Maize and beans were poorly suited. The seed quality was within recipients’ acceptable standards while distribution was conducted late in relation to sowing period in the division. The intervention was quite relevant but its efficacy in addressing seed insecurity and subsequently food insecurity among the vulnerable farmers was being hindered by non involvement of beneficiary community, distribution of some inappropriate seeds, late distribution of the seeds, and lack of transparency in the distribution process. Among the recommendations made include; Community should be involved in beneficiary identification and also in setting the rationale upon which beneficiaries would be identified. Free relief seed interveners in future distributions should focus more on the adapted crops such as bulrush millet and cowpeas instead of less adapted maize and beans. Mechanisms should be put in place to ensure timely distribution of the seeds and transparency in the distribution process.
Description
A thesis submitted to the school of postgraduate studies in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management of Kampala International University.
Keywords
Evaluation, Efficacy, relief seeds, Mwing district