Smallholder Farmers’ Engagement in School Feeding Programme and Learner Participation in Public Primary Schools in Makueni County, Kenya

Abstract

Primary school students who are eligible for the school’s Food Programme can get nutritious meals, and feeding services. The objective of the paper is to examine how smallholder farmers’ engagement influences learner participation in Public Primary Schools in Makueni. The study was anchored on theory of change. A correlation study and a descriptive research survey design were used. Target population was 875, where a sample of 275 was drawn and computed by Yamane’s formula. Information was gathered using simple random technique, questionnaire, and interview guide. Pilot testing was done to determine the accuracy and dependability of the study instruments in Machakos County, Kenya. Quantitative and qualitative information were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. SPSS software version 25 was employed to analyze data, and outcome was displayed. To demonstrate the strength and association of the variables, linear regression models were used. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation coefficient(r) was computed. The overall F statistics is 2.795. The findings were represented in tables, regressions, mean, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. Null hypothesis was tested, resulting to; There is no significant association among smallholder farmers’ engagement and learner participation in Public Primary Schools was rejected (P-value 0.006 < 0.05) suggesting a statistical significant association between smallholder farmers’ engagement and learner participation in public primary schools. This paper recommends that Ministries of Education should provide nutrition meals and dedicate adequate resources. Further, this study on school feeding programme strategies focused on Makueni county public primary schools only. It is necessary to conduct a study with a similar design that targets additional counties.