CONTRIBUTION OF SMALLHOLDER INFORMAL MARKETS ON RURAL VEGETABLE VENDORS’ HOUSEHOLDS’ LIVELIHOOD IN NYANDO SUB COUNTY, KISUMU COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

Smallholder informal markets sector is a critical part of rural households’ livelihoods to millions of people and national well-being at large, particularly in developing countries. Vegetable vending, is an important avenue that contributes to for poor women to support their families. However, there is paucity of literature on how the smallholder informal markets contribute on rural vegetable vendors’ households’ livelihoods, forms the basis of this study. The objectives of the study were to assess the contribution of smallholder informal markets on rural vegetable vendors’ households’ livelihoods in Kisumu county, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study included: assessment of contribution of smallholder informal markets on income levels; food availability; well-being and vulnerability of street vegetable vendors’ households’ in Nyando Sub County, Kisumu County, Kenya. The study population consisted of street vegetable vendors from Ahero, Kochogo and Ayweyo smallholder informal markets in Nyando Sub County, Kisumu county. The purposive sampling technique was used to draw the sample from a pool of vendors in the food systems. A mixed sampling technique was used to identify the markets and street vegetable vendors who were the respondents to the questionnaires. The target population of the study was 61 street vegetable vendors (census). A pilot study was carried out at Otho market, whereby the questionnaire was administered to 8 vegetable vendors both during the pre-testing and re-testing of the research tools for consistency and validation. A structured questionnaire was used to interview the street vegetable vendors while an in-depth interview using key informant schedules was used to generate information from the Key Informants. Data collected by use of KIIs was reported as quotes. Data was collected, cleaned, coded and keyed into the SPSS application and analyzed. Descriptive statistics was used for quantitative data analysis to calculate the averages, means, percentage and frequencies. The results from the analysis indicated that the informal market was dominated by women 95%. The smallholder informal markets contributed positively on vegetable vendors’ households’ incomes, food availability, employment and general satisfaction received by the household members. Nevertheless, these street vendors also experienced environmental, physical and health risks factors that disrupted their businesses. Findings also revealed that vegetable vending was a major source of income among the majority (67%) of the vendors’ households. The vendors averagely earned KES. 300 daily from the vegetable vending business and spends between KES. 150-200 daily. The findings revealed that vegetable vendors were able to increase food availability, and meet their household dietary needs. However, due to illegal operation of businesses, they also experienced loss of business through eviction or confiscation of goods. The study concluded that smallholder informal markets of vegetable vendors positively contributed to vegetable vendors’ households’ livelihoods, an alternative form of employment for vulnerable households. The study contributed to scholarly publication and to paucity of empirical evidence that was related to the contribution of smallholder informal markets on vegetable vendors’ households’ livelihoods in Nyando SUB County, Kisumu County, Kenya. The information generated will be incorporated in the County integrated planning document to guide the county governments in future planning for her towns and cities knowing that informal markets are economic activities that create employment, provide food and income for rural households.