The document discusses common interest youth groups and their contribution to food security in Western Kenya. It finds that youth, especially married and more literate youth, joined these groups through change agents and promotional posters. Being in a group provided members access to farm inputs and training, allowing some to increase production levels. While groups faced constraints like lack of finances, they helped members achieve higher levels of food security compared to non-members, as measured by indicators and coping strategies. The document concludes that continuing to form these groups and providing them support can further enhance household food security in the region.

1. COMMON INTEREST YOUTH GROUPS
CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY IN
WESTERN KENYA
Libaisi J.K, Marinda, P.A &Wakhungu J.W

2. INTRODUCTION
• Improved technologies disseminated through
enterprise based common interest groups (CIGs)
• Factors that influence the effectiveness of the
Youth CIGs
• Contribution of the Youth CIGs to food security

3. OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
• To establish importance of promotion poster
• To find out factors that influence effectiveness
of CIGs
• To determine role of Youth CIG in improving
smallholder agricultural production
• To determine household food security status
among CIG members and non CIG members

4. Results
• Most female joined CIGs as compared to male
• Married Youth joined CIGs
• CIG members were literate- post secondary 7%
• The youth joined CIGs through change agents and
use of promotional posters

5. Results
• CIG members achieved higher production levels
• Improved access to farm inputs through collective
action CIGs or access to financial credit
• CIG members have increased chances of
accessing training on new technologies

6. Constraining factors
Constraints Frequency
Lack of finance 84
Weak group cohesion 33
Unavailability of farm inputs 20
Market access and information 16
Inadequate knowledge on production 10
Inadequate knowledge on value 7
addition
High costs of farm inputs 2
Small parcel of land 8

7. Results
• Youth interested in High value APVCs
• CIG were more food secure
– Indicators of food security
– Coping strategies

8. Conclusion and Recommendations
• Formation of CIGs would enhance the food
security status
• Promotional posters need up to date information
and provide for a wide spectrum of opportunities
• CIGs need IDOS for sustainability
• Service providers need to plan for the future of
enterprises-marketing, other opportunities

9. THANK YOU