Implications of Artisanal Mining on Food Security: A Survey of Selected Counties in Kenya
| International Journal of Economics and Management Studies |
| © 2020 by SSRG - IJEMS Journal |
| Volume 7 Issue 8 |
| Year of Publication : 2020 |
| Authors : John Achuora, Robert Arasa, Cornelius Okello |
10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V7I8P115
How to Cite?
John Achuora, Robert Arasa, Cornelius Okello, "Implications of Artisanal Mining on Food Security: A Survey of Selected Counties in Kenya," SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, vol. 7, no. 8, pp. 111-119, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V7I8P115
Abstract:
Artisanal Mining (ASM) has emerged as one of the economic activities in a number of counties in Kenya. The majority of artisanal miners have abandoned other economic enterprises, such as agriculture, to improve their living standards. Given the ecological and socio-economic challenges that characterize the artisanal mining sector, several questions have been raised regarding its capacity to meet the miners' economic needs, such as food security. This study sought to establish the influence of ASM practices on food security in selected counties in Kenya. A participatory cross-sectional survey research design was employed in executing this study. The study was confined to the five selected counties (Migori, Kakamega, Kisii, Kajiado, and Kitui), where artisanal mining (ASM) activities occur. Both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were utilized. Stakeholders of interest for purposes of this study included relevant county government departments, farmers, miners, and local leaders. Primary data was gathered through FGDs, KII, and the use of structured questionnaires. Indicators of food security were borrowed from various instruments such as SDGs, WHO, and WFO. Study findings revealed that the level of agricultural produce is quite low and barely meets the household's basic food requirements in ASM areas. Overall the study revealed that ASM activities lead to food insecurity within the mining households in the selected counties.
Further, the study results indicated that underground mining results in a decrease in food security by 38% holding other factors constant, open surface mining practices leads to a decrease in food security by 48 percent holding other factors constant, placer mining practices result in a decrease in food security by 27.03 percent holding all other factors constant and solution mining activities result to a decrease in food security by 3.13 percent. The negative influence on food security by underground, open surface, and placer mining practices was found to be significant, resulting in lower incomes to support artisanal miners' socio-economic needs. Towards improving food security and income in ASM counties, the study recommends that the government and other sector players should embrace strategies such as agro-artisanal mining (AASM) policy, awareness programs on social evils of mining activities and health hazards associated with mining activities, and formalization of artisanal mining operations, regulation of marketing, pricing and mining processes.
Keywords:
Artisanal Mining, Food Security, Kenya.
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