Impact of Land Size and Land Use Change on Rural Livelihood in Dairy Farming Zones in Kenya: the Case of Kiganjo Sublocation in Kiambu - Kenya

Abstract

Land resource forms the main source of livelihood as it affords people the means of survival and is at the core of their economic and social lives. Small land sizes in rural areas occasioned by intensive land fragmentation is becoming a threat to viable agricultural activities and therefore food insecurity. Rural agricultural land use changes limit the potential of the peri-urban agriculture and increases the vulnerability of the poor in terms of food security and income (Gachunia, 2016) making their livelihoods unsustainable. This study was carried out to assess the relationship between land use changes and sustainable rural livelihoods in Kenya with focus on dairy farming in Kiganjo Sub-location of Gatundu South Sub County in Kiambu, Kenya. The study examined the following objectives; to analyse the land use changes that are evident in Kiganjo sub-location, examine the drivers of land use changes in the study area, assess the impacts of the land uses changes on rural livelihoods, determine coping mechanisms developed by households who depend on dairying as a livelihood and finally recommend a planning intervention that promotes sustainable rural livelihood. The study employed descriptive survey research to make intensive investigation of land use change and its implications on sustainable livelihoods in Kiganjo sub-location. Data was collected both primary and secondary through review of existing literature, household questionnaires, key informant interviews and a focus group discussion. The study established that there has been reduction in land size by 93.54% and 89.99% from the initial family land to male and female children over three generations within a household and all attributed to prevailing inheritance system. Land conversion has as well been rampant from one agricultural activity to another occasioned by the economic status of the agricultural activity. The study as well found out that economic reasons at 80% are the leading factors that influence the change of land use. There was indication of reduced food crop while 29% mentioned that the change has resulted in reduced income. Land fragmentation also has a significant impact on dairy farming where 46% of the total number of respondents admitted that fodder crop has reduced considerably. For a rural household depending entirely on dairy farming in Kiganjo to live sustainably for a whole year it requires; 3 dairy animals producing an average of 6.20 litres of milk per day or two (2) Friesian cows giving them an optimal milk production of 26 litres per day. The minimum land size required for dairy farming at intensive zero grazing for 3 cows in the study area is 0.78Acres. The study established that there is a relationship between land use change and sustainable rural livelihood with emphasis on dairy farming. This study recommends that the county government of Kiambu ensures subdivision of land is regulated to control its impact on agriculture. The county government should support and encourage farmers to engage in mixed farming to help spread the risk and minimize shortage of food. New forms of bequeathing wealth to family heirs such as shares or other properties be considered rather than subdividing the land to prevent successive subdivision of agricultural land. The study area has an opportunity for high dairy production which can sustain the community, however, there is need to address the issue of land subdivision and conversion to allow for a sustainable dairy farming in the area.