MERU COUNTY (MERU NORTH) 2020 SHORT RAINS FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY ASSESSMENT REPORT A Joint Report by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group (KFSSG)1, and Meru (Meru North) County Steering Group February 2021 1Hellen Omondi and Raphael Khaemba (MOALF& C), Clinton Ogolla (NDMA) and Line Department and Partners 1. Executive Summary Food security assessments are carried out bi-annually after the long and short rains season. The assessments are conducted in the 23 arid and semi-arid counties in Kenya. The 2020 short rains assessment was carried out in Meru North between 25th and 29th January, targeting six semi-arid sub-counties; Igembe North, Igembe Central, Igembe South, Tigania East, Tigania West, and Buuri. A multi-sectoral approach was adopted during the assessment covering livestock, agriculture health and nutrition, water and sanitation and education sectors. The assessment aimed at establishing an objective, evidence based and transparent food security situation. Rainfall performance was below normal during the season under review which impacted negatively on pasture and crop production in the Agropastoral zones. Maize production was projected to be 91 percent of long term average (LTA) while beans and sorghum was projected to be 61 and 72 percent of the LTA respectively due to decreased acreage and wildlife damage for sorghum. The area of irrigated crops, including tomatoes, bananas and onions decreased due to low irrigation water. Maize stocks held by households and traders was about 79 and 67 percent of LTA while millers held 29 percent above the LTA. Maize stocks were expected to increase as harvesting progressed. Pasture and browse condition was good across all the marginal zones which was comparable to normal. Milk production increased slightly across the livelihood zones but consumption of milk per household per day was generally within normal. Market operations were normal across the livelihood zones however; the supply of livestock was low in the markets. The average price of maize in January was Ksh 32 and was below the long term average. The average price of a medium sized goat was Ksh. 4,364 in January which was attributed to good body condition and high market demand. Consequently, with the low maize prices being experienced and good goat prices, the terms of trade (ToT) were above average at Ksh 136 in January 2021 and was favourable to the livestock keepers. Surface water sources recharge was 20 - 60 percent of normal (dams/pans and rivers respectively) as a result of below normal short rains performance. The proportion of households with acceptable food consumption score was 75 percent in January 2021, implying that most households were consuming an average of 2- 3 meals per day across the livelihood zones with good dietary diversity. Borderline and poor food consumption scores was 24 and one percent respectively. The reduced consumption based coping strategy index (rCSI) for the month of January was 15.6 and above normal. The high rCSI is an indicated that households were employing more severe food based consumption strategies. Household income from the casual labour had tremendously decreased due to impacts of COVID 19 pandemic. The proportion of children with MUAC less than 135 mm was significantly below average compared to the LTA which is attributed to improved child care practices. Based on the food security outcomes, Meru North is classified in the Minimal Phase (IPC Phase 1) food insecurity phase classification. 2 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 4 1.1. County Background ........................................................................................................ 4 1.2 Methodology and approach ................................................................................................. 4 2. DRIVERS OF FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY IN THE COUNTY........................... 5 2.1. Rainfall Performance ...................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Insecurity/Conflict ........................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Other shocks and hazards ................................................................................................ 5 3. IMPACTS OF DRIVERS ON FOOD AND NUTRITION SECURITY ................................. 6 3.1. Availability ...................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.1. Crop Production .............................................................................................................. 6 3.1.2 Cereals stock ................................................................................................................. 7 3.1.2 Livestock Production ...................................................................................................... 8 3.2. Access ........................................................................................................................... 12 3.2.1. Market Operations ...................................................................................................... 12 3.2.2. Terms of Trade (TOT) ................................................................................................ 13 3.2.3. Income Sources ........................................................................................................... 13 3.2.4 Water access and availability ....................................................................................... 14 3.2.4. Food Consumption ...................................................................................................... 15 3.2.5 Coping strategies Index ................................................................................................ 16 3.3. Utilization ...................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.1. Morbidity and mortality patterns ................................................................................ 16 3.3.2 Immunization and Vitamin A coverage (Supplementation) ......................................... 17 3.3.5 Public interventions and community level actions ..................................................... 18 3.3.6 Sanitation and Hygiene ............................................................................................... 19 3.4 Trends of key food security indicators .............................................................................. 19 3.5 Education ........................................................................................................................... 20 3.5.1. Enrolment .................................................................................................................... 20 4.0 FOOD SECURITY PROGNOSIS ........................................................................................ 21 4.1 Prognosis Assumptions ..................................................................................................... 21 4.2 Food Security Outlook March to May .............................................................................. 22 5.0 CONCLUSION AND INTERVENTIONS ........................................................................... 23 5.1 Conclusion ......................................................................................................................... 23 5.1.1 Phase classification ....................................................................................................... 23 5.1.2 Summary of Findings ................................................................................................... 23 5.1.1. Sub-county ranking ..................................................................................................... 23 5.1. Ongoing Interventions ................................................................................................... 24 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1.County Background Meru County is located in Eastern Kenya where the peaks of Mt. Kenya cuts through the county in the southern border. The county borders 27% Isiolo County to the North, Tharaka Agropastoral Nithi to the East, and Laikipia to the 50% West. The County comprises of Rainfed Eleven administrative sub-counties Mixed Farming namely; Igembe North, Igembe 23% Central, Igembe South, Tigania East, Tigania West, Tigania central, Buuri East, Buuri west, Imenti Central, Figure 1: Proportion of population by livelihood zones Imenti South, and Imenti North Sub- counties. The County covers an estimated area of 6,936.2 Km² of which 1,776.1 km² is Meru National Park. The assessment covered Meru North with a population of 1,026,975 (KNBS 2019 Census). There are three main livelihood zones: Mixed Farming (Food crops, Tea, Coffee and dairy) comprising of 50 percent of the population, Agro-pastoral livelihood zone with 27 percent of the population and Rain-fed cropping zones with 23 percent of population as shown in figure 1. 1.2 Methodology and approach Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used in this assessment. The secondary data was obtained from National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) early warning bulletin, District Health Information System (DHIS) data, information provided in the assessment briefing Kit which