Baseline Survey Dataset on Agricultural Practices, Dietary Diversity, and Socio-Economic Indicators in Vihiga County, Kenya (2018)

This dataset originates from a baseline survey conducted between November 12 and November 30, 2018, in Vihiga County, Kenya. The survey was part of the project titled “Improving access to and benefits from a wealth of diverse seeds to support on-farm biodiversity for healthy people in resilient landscapes.” The primary purpose of the study was to assess key indicators of agricultural practices, dietary diversity, socio-economic status, and food security at the household level. It aimed to establish a foundational understanding of the community’s agricultural and nutritional landscape, serving as a benchmark for future interventions. The dataset includes detailed information on demographic and socio-economic characteristics, household income, market access, wealth profiles, household food security, dietary changes, maternal nutritional knowledge, and attitudes. Additionally, it captures household agricultural practices, including the adoption of climate-smart technologies, social seed networks for traditional leafy vegetables and legumes, and smart poultry farming practices. Quantitative 24-hour dietary recall data for women and children was also collected to assess dietary diversity and nutritional adequacy. The principal investigators sought to answer key questions such as: i) What is the current state of dietary diversity and nutritional practices among women and children? ii) How are socio-economic factors and market access influencing household food security? iii) What role do agricultural practices and farm diversity play in household resilience and nutrition? iv) What are the existing knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding maternal nutrition and climate-smart farming technologies? This dataset provides a comprehensive snapshot of the intervention and comparison sites, enabling insights into the baseline conditions and laying the groundwork for evaluating the project’s impact.

Methodology:The baseline data was collected as part of a survey conducted in Vihiga County, Kenya, from November 12 to November 30, 2018. The study employed a quasi-randomized controlled design, sampling households from three categories: proposed intervention areas (216 households), comparison areas (160 households), and areas with prior interventions conducted before this baseline study (55 households). Including the previously intervened areas aimed to assess differences over time between these areas and the newly selected intervention areas. Households were eligible if they included at least one woman of reproductive age (15–49 years) and a child aged 6–23 months. The survey utilized structured tools, including a household questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall. The household questionnaire captured demographic and socio-economic data, household income, market access, food security, wealth profiles, agricultural practices, and maternal nutritional knowledge and attitudes. The dietary recall focused on quantitative intake data for women and children over two non-consecutive days, with a second recall conducted for over 50% of the sample. Data collection was conducted by trained local enumerators with at least a bachelor’s degree. The baseline survey was paper-based for all components. Completed forms were manually reviewed, digitized, and subjected to rigorous cleaning and validation before analysis to ensure data reliability and accuracy. The collected data provides a critical reference point for evaluating the impact of interventions on agricultural practices, nutrition education, and household resilience.

Termote, C.; Aluso, L.O.; Akingbemisilu, T.H.