DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2015.v02i04.012

Pages: 328-332

Maize is a staple food for the inhabitants of Moiben sub County and other parts of Kenya. However, its production is facing challenges that have led to decline in yield. Improving maize production is considered an important strategy of solving the problems of food insecurity in the countries where rapid population increase is a major challenge especially in Sub-Sahara Africa, this therefore, can be achieved by improving management practices of maize production and which is a main source of employment and income for the rural population. Maize accounts for 30−50% of low-income household expenditures in Eastern and Southern Africa and when the price of this commodity is increased, the poor suffers most. In addition, the grains are rich in vitamins A, C and E, carbohydrates, essential minerals, and contain 9% protein; they are also rich in dietary fiber and calories, which are a good source of energy. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of maize planting management practices on maize production among farmers in Moiben sub-county with an objective of establishing the role of planning of planting of maize on food security in Moiben sub-county. The total population of Moiben sub-county is 138,409 people with 17,299 households, a sample size of 368 households was chosen through stratified sampling. Primary data was collected through; questionnaires, interviews, observations, and focus group discussions, secondary data was collected through review of articles, journals, Internet search and textbooks. Analysis was done using descriptive statistics with an aid of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software and Microsoft excel. Results indicated Planning of planting of maize has an influence on the total yield of maize and therefore recommend that farmers be sensitized on importance of planning forehand to enable high maize production and eventual food security.