EMBU (MBEERE) COUNTY 2013 LONG RAINS FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT REPORT 5 TH AUGUST 9 TH AUGUST 2013

Transcription

1 EMBU (MBEERE) COUNTY 2013 LONG RAINS FOOD SECURITY ASSESSMENT REPORT 5 TH AUGUST 9 TH AUGUST 2013 Assessment Team Kithama Jeremiah Vincent Obondo Technical CSG - MoAL&F, Nairobi - MoE, Nairobi - Mbeere County

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION County Background Current Relief Operations Food Security Trends Current Factors Affecting Food Security Proposed Emergency Recommendations COUNTY FOOD SECURITY SITUATION Current Food Security Situation Rainfall Performance IMPACTS OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS Crop Production Livestock Production Water and Sanitation Health and Nutrition Market and Trade Education Coping Mechanisms Food Security Prognosis Divisional Food Security Ranking RECOMMENDATIONS Monitoring Required Food Intervention Required Non Food Interventions... 9 ii

3 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1. County Background Mbeere North and Mbeere South sub-counties, formerly Mbeere district are found in Embu County. Embu County lies South of Mount Kenya and borders Kirinyaga County to the east, Kitui and Machakos Counties to the south, Nyeri County to the north and Tharaka Nithi County to the east. It comprises of five sub counties namely, Embu East, Embu West, Embu North, Mbeere South and Mbeere North. The greater Mbeere has two sub-counties; Mbeere North and South that covers approximately 2,092.5 square kilometres with an estimated population of 230,000 persons (KNBS 2009). The Mbeere sub-counties are characterized by hot and dry weather condition for the greater part of the year, with bimodal pattern of rainfall; the long rains which comes between March and May and short rains between October-December, the latter being more reliable. Annual rainfall ranges between 640 to 1,100 millimeters with most parts of the area receiving 550 mm of rainfall per year. Mbeere residents are predominantly mixed farmers; with crops cultivated being maize, beans, pigeon peas, green grams, cow peas and sorghum. Mbeere sub-counties are categorized in two livelihood zones, namely, mixed farming (MF) and marginal mixed farming (MMF) zones 1.2. Current Relief Operations Currently, there are no relief operations in the County, owing to an improved food security condition over the last few seasons. However, there has been interventions in the past from the government and other partners, including World Food Programme, in partnership with the Catholic Diocese of Embu Food Security Trends Generally the food security situation is in the fairly stable in the 1 st (Minimal) phase both in the two major livelihood zones. However, the situation is deteriorating due to low amount of rains received, which were also poorly distributed both in time and space. The season s maize yield is 10percent percent of normal which is much lower than the previous season (50 percent). Market prices of food commodities are on upward trend due to poor yields and reduced stocks at household level, while livestock prices are declining, an indication of worsening food security Current Factors Affecting Food Security The main factors affecting the food security situation Depressed rains of Long Rains of 2013 (erratic and poor temporal distribution) Increasing cultivation of Miraa/Khat and consumption Diminished livestock holdings at house hold levels Water logging in areas covered with black cotton soils 1.5. Proposed Emergency Recommendations Enhance nutrition surveillance of children under five years especially in Khat growing areas Encourage food for work in MMF areas to develop their asset base. Introduce School Meals Program to bring more children on board Provision of high value traditional seed crop Promotion of production through greenhouses technology Promotion of roof water harvesting and provision of UPVC tanks for institutions 1

4 Provision of water treatment chemicals at household level Enhance Vitamin A supplementation to under-fives and De-worming regularly to all primary school going children Disease surveillance and control for livestock Pasture conservation and re-seeding 2.0 COUNTY FOOD SECURITY SITUATION 2.1. Current Food Security Situation The just ended rains performed poorly across the sub-counties in Mbeere. The poor spatial distribution adversely affected crop production particularly in the mixed farming livelihood zone which is normally the grain basket of the sub-counties. Crops were planted late within the black cotton soil zones and they didn t yield much as rains ceased while the crop was at the vegetative stage. Most of the households are depending on stocks from previous season which is expected last between one to two months. Pasture and browse is rapidly declining and may last about three months especially in the marginal mixed farming zone. Livestock body condition but likely to decline as livestock feeds dwindles in coming few months. Water availability is fair and accessible across the County from seasonal streams, shallow wells, rivers, dams and the piped water. Cereal prices are below the long term mean but on an upward trend due to limited stocks at household level. Livestock prices are above the long term average, but declining due worsening body conditions occasioned by limited forage and increasing distances to water points. The nutritional status of children has improved due to sustained nutritional awareness coupled with availability and accessibility both at the household levels and in the market Rainfall Performance The onset of the rains occurred in the third week of March in both the livelihood zones. This is normal of occurrence of the season. The rains were characterized by heavy downpour in the month of April which led to flash floods with consequent inundation of already cropped areas and loss of livestock. Figure 1: Mbeere and Embu Rainfall Estimates Mar - June 2013 The rainfall was poorly distributed both time and space. The marginal mixed areas received more rainfall amounts of percent of the normal while the mixed farming zone realized below normal rains of percent. Only a few areas in marginal mixed farming zone in Siakago (Nguthi and Kirie), Evurore (Iriatune) got limited amounts of 21-50percent of the normal rains. There was early cessation of the rains in both the Marginal and mixed farming zones during the first week of May which resulted to withering of crops before milking stage hence the rains were inadequate to support crop to maturity leading to poor crop yields. 2

5 3.0 IMPACTS OF SHOCKS AND HAZARDS 3.1. Crop Production Crop production is of major significance during the short rains season as compared to the long rains season. The major crops grown are maize, sorghum and beans while cash crops are mainly green grams and cowpeas. Maize contributes to 50 percent of food and 10 percent of income in Mixed Farming while in the Marginal Farming maize contributes 38 percent of food and 25 percent of income. However, Miraa/Khat farming and the utilization is affecting the area under crop production hence limiting future potentiality of crop production. The area put under crop production increased marginally from the previous season. This was due to the high expectations of high rainfall and availability of seed due to the good performance of previous short rains season of 2012, nonetheless the poor distribution and early cessation of rainfall lead to premature wilting of crops. (Table 1 below indicates area under rainfed) Rainfed Crop Production Table 1: Rainfed Crop Production Crops Area Planted (Ha) Production (90 Kg bags) Achieved Long Term Mean Achieved Long Term Mean Maize 21,610 12,045 60, ,059 Beans 7,080 6,136 15,730 39,408 Cowpeas 3,725 5,725 21,755 39,150 The decline was compounded by factors such as moisture stress at the time of physiological growth of the crop that was planted late and lack of access to inputs especially fertilizer Irrigated Crop Production Generally irrigated crops continue to perform well due to the implementation of irrigation projects. The irrigation schemes are used for production of horticultural produce such as vegetables, French beans, tomatoes and water melons for consumption within the district. The area under irrigation reduced for tomatoes due to poor market while water melons increased due to expectation of good prices (Table 2 indicates acreages of irrigated crops). Table 2: Irrigated Crops Crops Area Planted (Ha) Production (Mt) Achieved Long Term Mean Achieved Long Term Mean Tomatoes ,188 6,842 French Beans Water Melons ,570 4, Maize Stocks Currently, maize stocks held by households and traders are lower than normal compared to the long term average. This is due to poor performance of the rains and the water logging crop establishment at the initial growth stages. The stocks available at households are expected to last within two months (table 3 indicates maze stocks held at diverse places). 3

6 Table 3: Maize Stocks Held Food stocks held by Quantities held currently (90- Long Term Average quantities kg bags) held (90-kg bags) House Holds 66,324 72,300 Traders 11,006 9,490 Millers 0 N/A NCPB 0 N/A Total 77,330 81, Livestock Production Livestock production contributes to 23 and 18 percent of cash income in the Marginal Mixed Farming and Mixed Farming Livelihood Zones respectively. The major livestock species in order of their contribution are; goats, cattle, local poultry and sheep Pasture and Browse Condition Pasture and browse regeneration was initially good due to the high rainfall received in the month of April. However, it is now deteriorating due to the early cessation of rainfall in early May. The available pasture and browse is deteriorating in quality and quantity and is projected to sustain the animals for the next 1 ½ to 2 months in both zones which is normal for this time of the year. Forage is declining in amounts but residues from the failed crops will contribute to livestock feed by 30 percent in the mixed farming and 5 percent in the marginal mixed farming zone. There were no migrations in or out of the sub counties. This is normal for this period of the year Livestock Productivity Livestock Body Condition Livestock have maintained a fairly good body condition for the last three months, a situation attributed to the fair forage situation in the region. This trend may however change in the next two months owing to the rapid rate of forage deterioration particularly in the marginal mixed farming livelihood zones where pasture is minimal. The livestock body condition is expected to decline to fair condition in the next months due to forage scarcity especially in the marginal mixed farming zones. This will also affect milk production and availability with the consequent rise in milk price making it accessible to vulnerable households. Birth Rates The current birth rate is normal for all species in the mixed and marginal farming zones. The rate of lambing, kidding and calving is normal in the livelihood zones at this time of the year. Tropical Livestock Units The low livestock numbers at the households is reported to have steadily declined during the previous droughts notably in 2009 and 2010 which occasioned livestock off take and many of the households have not recovered fully from the drought situation. The April flooding exacerbated the situation where a substantial number of livestock was swept away (lower areas of Makima and Kiambere which led to livestock death rates of estimated three percent). The current tropical livestock unit averagely stands at two cattle and five goats per household in the Marginal Mixed Farming zone and less than one to one cattle and two goats in the Mixed Farming zone. Normally, in the Marginal Mixed Livelihood zones households have three-five cattle and eight goats while in the Mixed Farming zone each household has one cattle and two goats. 4

7 Water for Livestock The current sources of water for livestock are boreholes, dams, shallow wells, rivers, canals and tap water and are normal for this time of the year. The available water sources are reducing and expected to last for two months in the Mixed Farming LZ and one and a half months in the Marginal Mixed Farming LZ in comparison to the normal three months. The return distance to watering points by livestock is three-four km and five-eight km in Mixed Farming and Marginal Mixed Farming LZs respectively. Distances have increased though within the normal range. The frequency of watering is once a day for both cattle and goats across Livelihood zones Livestock Diseases and Mortalities There were reported cases of foot and mouth disease around Ngiiri area, CCPP in goats, Foot Rot in Cattle and New Castle Disease in Poultry. Limited mortalities were reported within the normal range. Floods and flood related deaths in the lower parts of the district contributed to three percent loss of livestock which affected household food security Water and Sanitation The main water sources for domestic and livestock in Mbeere sub counties are rivers, streams, springs, dams, boreholes, shallow wells and treated piped water. Rivers Ena, Thucii, Tana, and Thiba are the major rivers in the County. There was adequate water facilities recharge during the Long Rains. The prevailing water levels were observed to be normal in Mixed Farming Zones, while in the Marginal zones in areas such as Kiambere, Mutuobare, Gichiche, Mavuri, Mutitu, Ndurumori, Kamarandi and Riakanau water sources levels have reduced and the trend is likely to continue in the coming two months Distance to Water The average distance to various water points for household varies across the two livelihoods. For instance in Mixed Farming zones the average distance are 1-5 km which is way above normal of 0-1 km. In the Marginal mixed farming zones distance to water source was also above the normal 2-10 km Waiting Time Time spent at water source has generally increased across the two livelihood zones. In the mixed farming zones it is 1-15 minutes compared to normal range of 0-10 minutes; while in the Marginal zone it had increased by more than fivefold, that was minutes compared to normal of 0-15 minutes Cost of Water Current cost of water in the Mixed Farming zones was Ksh 2-20 per 20 litters jerrycan which was above normal of Ksh. two, likewise, in the Marginal zone cost of water had increased from the normal range of Ksh to Ksh per 20 liters jerrycan Water Consumption At the beginning of the season, water consumption in the district was generally in a stable situation with close to 48percent consuming more than 15 liters per person per day. This was below normal average HH water consumption of 60 l/p/d across the two livelihoods. The current consumption is 40 l/p/d and 30 l/p/d in the MF and MMF livelihoods respectively. 5

8 In the Mixed Farming zones there has been an increased use of water by Miraa/Muguka farmers to water their plants. This was impacting negatively on the availability of water for other uses Sanitation Toilet coverage was generally high across the livelihood zones with over 90percent of households having access to toilet facility. Domestic water treatment was generally very low for households got water from unsafe sources. Less than 20percent of the population treated their water through either boiling or through chemical treatment Health and Nutrition Morbidity and Mortality Patterns The top ten causes of outpatient morbidity were Malaria, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections, Intestinal Worms, Skin Diseases, Pneumonia, Diarrhea, Rheumatism, Accidents, Eye Infections and suspected Typhoid respectively, which were within the normal tread. There was a notable increase of road accidents leading to raise mortalities connected to motor bikes accidents Immunization and Vitamin A supplementation Vitamin A supplementation is done biannual both at facility and ECD centers. The County has coverage below 50 percent coverage for children less than one-five-5 years. This is due to the fact that most of the mothers do.not brings their children for vitamin A supplement when they are fully immunized. The coverage went down due to the nurses strike early this year. The immunization coverage was at 82.6percent which is below the national target and also below last year s coverage which was 86 percent and one of the reasons being the nurses strike and the kavonokia sect which has pockets in the district gets from the neighboring counties Nutrition Status and Dietary Diversity Most households are consuming at least two to three meals per day for both adults and children in Marginal Mixed 40 Farming zones and three meals per day in the 30 Mixed Farming.This is against the normal of 20 four-five times a day among the children of 10 below five years. Malnutrition in terms of 0 Sever Acute Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Malnutrition (SAM) and 2013 LTM (5-yr average) 2012 Moderate Acute % At risk (<135mm) Figure 2: Trends in Children at Risk of Malnutrition Malnutrition (MAM) from the two hospital records for the last six months indicate a MAM of 138 and SAM 79 respectively for children seen at the facility in comparison to last year, the SAM was 93 and MAM was 179 which indicates decrease in malnutrition. There improvement in the nutritional status of children months of age has been observed since February, out of the 2,160 children sampled, only 10percent were found to be at risk of malnutrition (with a MUAC <135mm). These findings are lower than last previous month which revealed a 10.9percent rate. 6

9 The current rates are the lowest in the past six months and much lower compared to the short term averages for years a similar period (see figure 3). This notable improvement could be attributed to the improved household food security following the ongoing harvests Market and Trade All the major market had normal operations with no reported disruption during the period. The major markets include in the sub counties include: Ngiire, Ishiara, Siakago, Kiritiri and Makutano market which were functioning smoothly without disruptions for both livestock and farm produce. Supply commodities are from within and outside the sub counties. Currently percentage of households depending on the market is more than 10percent compared to the normal of two percent Market Operations Maize Prices Currently, the price of a kilo of maize is Ksh. h31 which is below the LTM of.ksh.35. Maize LTM( ) 2013 prices vary across livelihood zones with the 40 higher of Ksh 32 average price recorded in mixed 30 farming livelihood zone. 20 The price is on upward trend as supplies to the 10 market is declining due low harvests and limited stocks 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec at the household levels. Price per kg (Ksh) Figure 3: Comparative Farm-gate Maize prices Goat Prices A similar observation was made in the case of goats prices.the average goats price in the month of July was Ksh 2,785, having decreased from Ksh 3,000 recorded the previous month. The price varied across livelihood zones whereby the average price recorded in marginal mixed farming livelihood zone was Ksh 3,325 and in mixed farming livelihood zone Ksh 3,000. All market operations were normal with no major interruptions. These markets are; Ngiiri, Ishiara, Kiritiri, Mutuobare and Makutano. The spot Foot and Mouth Disease vaccinations did not interrupt the markets Education The enrolment for public ECD and primary school was continuous steady growth in the number of children attending school in the district. The current ECD to Primary school enrollment stood at 36,310 for boys and 36,112 for girls. This translated to boys to girls ratio of 1:1, which indicate parity in access. There was transition rate from one class to the other, which indicated no or very few cases of forced repetition class in schools. However, even though the transition rate was three percent above the prevailing national threshold of 70 percent this was still below the legal requirement of 100 percent. 7

10 The factors attributed to non-attainment of this were not due to lack of form one Spaces, but rather due to other factors such as non-affordability caused by extra user levies charged outside the free day secondary education. No drops out cases were reported to have occurred since the beginning of the year. In the previous year the drop rate was very marginal. A total of 110 schools are on school feeding program this was the same number as in the previous assessment. Out of the 72,422 enrolled children, 41,068 were in the program. This translated slightly over 56 percent beneficiaries Coping Mechanisms The dismal performance of the short rains has led to diverse coping mechanisms which include, reduced number of meals per day from four to two-three meals per day in the marginal mixed farming zone, increased casual labor in all livelihood zones, water vending and increased sand 3.8. Food Security Prognosis With the poor performance of the short rains across the entire district which resulted to meager harvests, food security is declining as the households are utilizing limited food stocks from the previous seasons. Food commodity prices in the market are on the increase as limited stocks are availed. The livestock body conditions have started to decline accompanied by decline in livestock prices. Further, limited livestock numbers at the household levels cannot guarantee sustained livestock sales to support the basic household needs. This will imply that the families will likely employ strong coping strategies as the food insecurity will deepen in the coming months before onset of the coming short rains Divisional Food Security Ranking Table 4: Divisional Food Security Ranking Division Rank (1-Worst, 4-Best) Food Security Threats Mwea 1 Water logging affected crop performance, late planting leading to poor harvest Gachoka 2 Late planting, Miraa growing Evurore 3 Poor rains, poor harvests Siakago 4 Depressed rains 4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1. Monitoring Required In the lean period before the onset of short rains in the County, there is need to monitor the water quality for treatment in case of an upsurge of waterborne diseases. Livestock disease surveillance and treatment is also required as they are likely to increase. Conflict prone areas, food prices and nutrition status of children under five years of age also need to be monitored. 8

11 4.2. Food Intervention Required Table 5: Percentage Range of Poppulation in Need of Food Assistance Division MWEA EVUROLE GACHOKA Location Total Population Karaba 18,562 Riakanau 11,555 Makima 21,291 Ishiara 14,616 Kiang ombe 8,404 Ndurumori 10,705 Mutitu 7,696 Mununji 9,022 Mbeti South 18,037 Mavuria 8,667 Gichiche 6,776 Kiambere 6,554 Mutuovare 8,505 % of Vulnerable Population Total Vulnerable Population 4.3. Non Food Interventions Table 6: Recommended Non-Food Interventions INTERVENTIONS WATER SECTOR Earth dam construction, rehabilitation Pipeline expansion Repair of strategic boreholes EDUCATION SECTOR Water pans Green houses Promotion of drought tolerant crops Trainings on post harvest management of grains HEALTH AND NUTRITION Health and Nutrition education on Infant and Young Child Feeding, Purchase and distribution of water treatment OBJECTIVE Improve availability and access to water Improve availability and access to water To improve on food availability and access. Address underlying causes of malnutrition and Improve water quality so SPECIFIC LOCATION(S) 9 COST (Ksh.) NO.OF BENS TIME FRAME All divisions 79M 25000HH 2013/2014 NDMA, Mwea All divisions 0.3M 1250HH M 110 schools(71, 057 pupils) June 2013-July 2014 Six months All divisions 20 M Six months IMPLEMENTERS NDMA MoE, MALF and Partners MoH, UNICEF and partners

12 INTERVENTIONS chemicals for households,hygiene and sanitation LIVESTOCK SECTOR Disease surveillance and control Spot vaccination and other routine livestock husbandry practices OBJECTIVE as to reduce water borne diseases Safeguard livestock against disease and improve yield SPECIFIC LOCATION(S) COST (Ksh.) NO.OF BENS TIME FRAME IMPLEMENTERS All divisions 5 M Three months MoAL&F 10