Implication Of Household Land Size And Land Use On Sustainable Food And Livelihood Security In A Maize Farming System Of Kalongo Sub-Location, Makueni County

Abstract

The economy of the country is largely based on agriculture as the sector contributes about 30 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides livelihoods to about 80 percent of the population (Kenya 2017c). The importance of agriculture to the national economy is also replicated in Makueni County as the sector employs over 78 percent of the population. Despite the importance of agriculture and its contribution to the economy, its productivity is being threatened by among other factors diminishing land sizes especially in the relatively high potential areas of the county. The phenomenon can be attributed to the land subdivision practices mainly for inheritance purposes. From literature, land fragmentation has both positive and negative effects. In addition, with the inheritance tradition still in place, land subdivision may be here to stay. However, the most critical issue would be establishing and maintaining an ideal land size so as to ensure sustainable food and livelihood security in the sub-location amidst all the pressures on land, thus the basis of this study. The study assessed the current household land size and use and their impact on food and livelihood security, evaluated the factors influencing household land size and use, documented inter-generational transmission of land rights and use and recommended planning interventions for sustainable food and livelihood security in the maize farming system of Kalongo sub-location. Both secondary and primary as well as qualitative and quantitative data was collected for the study. The target population included the households; religious, community, political and opinion leaders; administrators and professionals within the sub-location. A representative sample from each category was selected for the study. A total of 140 households were interviewed, 3 focus group discussions held and 5 key informants interviewed. Data collection methods employed for the study included literature review, extraction of statistical data, conducting of interviews, instrument administration, field observation and photography. In addition, with the use of Arc GIS software, a chronological analysis of 5 years interval images for the area was undertaken to understand the changes that have taken place over time with regard to land size and use. The data was analyzed and presented in a meaningful form to aid in deciding on the necessary measures for ensuring food and livelihood security in the area. v The study established that though there exists a relationship between land size and agricultural production as land is a factor of production, there was no significant difference in the land size for households who were food secure and those who were food insecure, t = -0.767 and p = 0.445. There however exists a relationship between household land size and livelihood security. The chi-square test presents a p of 0.000 which is less than α = 0.05. In addition, the study established that there is a significant relationship between maize land allocation and production, p = 0.000 is less than α = 0.05. Some of the factors affecting household land size and use include population pressure/big household sizes, brothers at the time of inheritance, education level, off-farm income, settlement patterns, land ownership, fertility of the land and topography among others. Intergenerational transmission of land rights and use was evident in the sub-location as inheritance was the most common form of land acquisition. Some of the recommendations include: land consolidation, re-organization of the settlement, establishment of settlement schemes, curbing the selling of land, sensitize people on the environmental damages, social and economic loss brought about by land subdivision as well as educating children to make them less dependent on the land that belongs to their parents. The recommended ideal land size is 5 acres, which, if properly utilized would produce enough food for household consumption and a surplus for sale in the market.