EFFECT OF HYDRAULIC RAM PUMP USE IN REDUCING HUNGER IN YATTA SUB COUNTY IN MACHAKOS COUNTY

Abstract

More than two-thirds of the world's population produces about one-third of the world's food, and these people are suffering from a severe food crisis This imbalance has severe economic and social repercussions and gravely jeopardizes the fundamental principles and values of the right to life and nutrition. This study assessed how hydraulic ram pumps in the Yatta Sub County of Machakos, Kenya, contributed to reduction of hungers cases. The researcher employed a descriptive survey on a sample of 43 farmers that was randomly selected and determined using Slovin's formula. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed in SPSS version 29. The independent variables' Cronbach's alpha values were = 0.712 for reduction of hunger. There was a significant positive relationship (r = 0.891, p = 0.028 <0.05) between the reduction of hunger and improved living standards. Minimization of poverty correlated positively and significantly (r =0.999, p= 0.015 < 0.05) with improved living standards. The results showed a positive and significant correlation between the alleviation of water scarcity and improved living standards (r = 0.834, p = 0.001 < 0.05). It was recommended that national and county governments increase awareness of the benefits of using hydraulic ram pumps in arid and semi-arid areas while remaining determined to finance projects in ASAL that are tailored to improve the livelihoods of people in those areas. The study recommended increasing the number of hydraulic ram pumps in the location from 48 to having at least one hydraulic ram pump every two homesteads.