Assessment of Household Land Size and Land Use for Sustainable Food and Livelihood Security in a Maize Farming System of Uvuu Sub-location, Makueni County

Abstract

Globally, agriculture is the supplier of food and a source of livelihood to many farmers. The sector is an important component of Makueni County economy as it employs about 78 percent of the county population. However, it is greatly challenged by declining land sizes, a situation that is occasioned by unregulated land subdivision. It is evident that food security is a widespread challenge all over the country and especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. The government is striving to feed its citizens amidst a growing population. 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 Uvuu Sub-location. Both secondary and primary data was collected for the study and various data collection techniques were employed. In total; 140 households were interviewed, 5 key informants interviewed and 3 focus group discussions held. The study established that there was significant difference in the land size of the households who were food secure and those who were food insecure, p = 0.017 is less than α = 0.05. There also exists an association between household land size and livelihood security. The chi-square test gives a p of 0.000 which is less than α = 0.05. The study further established that there is a significant relationship between the area of land allocated to maize and its production, p = 0.000 is less than α = 0.05. Some of the factors affecting household land size and use include; culture/traditions, off-farm income, education level, topography, land ownership, settlement patterns and land quality 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: teaching the residents on the dangers of further land subdivision, land consolidation, curb land selling and reorganization of the settlements. The proposed minimum land size for sustainable food and livelihood security is set at 5 acres. This land size according to the respondents was ideal for them to: undertake agricultural diversification, carry on inheritance purposes, practice large scale farming and was fit for the family needs.