Managing Fragmentation of Agricultural Land for Livelihood Security in Kenya

Abstract

survey was conducted in fifteen rural sublocations in Kenya in 2018 and 2019. The purpose of the study was to (a) establish the current rural household land size, (b) determine the existing land uses and the impacts they had on food and livelihood security, (c) identify factors contributing to the existing land size and use, (d) determine inter-generational land-size change, and (e) propose planning interventions for sustainable use of agricultural land. The target population was all farmers in the selected sub-locations and the relevant key informants including agricultural officers, physical planners, chiefs, assistant-chiefs, and community leaders. Data was collected through household interviews and focus group discussions. Field observations were also conducted to cross-check data from households and key informants. The survey revealed that the average rural household land size varied from 0.97 to 6.70 acres with an average of 2.47 acres. The dominant land use was the growing of cash crops with no clear food, livestock and agroforestry strategy. Households with larger land sizes were more food secure and had higher incomes than those with small land sizes. Lack of affordable agricultural inputs and extension services and disorganized markets emerged as the key challenges. The most influential factor on household land size was the number of sons a household had as the land is sub-divided among the sons. Only a small fraction of daughters inherited land from their parents