Role of Smart Villages in Preservation of Farmlands and Rural Livelihoods -a Case of Kimunyu Sub-location, Gatundu South Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya

Abstract

In 1954, Kenya colonial government introduced the Swynnerton Plan aimed at intensifying agricultural practice with a focus on cash crops through improved markets, infrastructure, farm inputs and land amalgamation. The aim of the plan was to create family land holdings for resilience and self-sufficiency. Each family was targeted to have farming units of about ten acres. After independence, previously consolidated land holdings were subdivided among heirs which led to declining levels of cash crop production and household incomes as agricultural land was taken up by new homesteads. This study was carried out in Kimunyu sub-location to explore the human settlement pattern that could preserve agricultural land and sustain household income and livelihood. The study objectives were to: examine patterns of human settlement and the process of development in relation to farmlands; assess connectivity and accessibility of services by households; establish the main sources, levels and reliability of household income and; propose a smart village development model for securing sustainable land use and livelihoods. The study followed a survey research design. The target population included all households plus selected leaders in the sub-county and sub-location. A total of 80 households were sampled using the simple random method. Six key informants were sampled purposively based on relevance to the study. Face to face interviews were conducted with household heads/spouses/adults’ children. Three focus group discussions were also held. Additional primary data were obtained through photography, mapping and observation. Secondary data was obtained through literature review. Data was analyzed spatially, qualitatively and quantitatively and presented in the form of charts, figures and tables. According to 85% of the respondents, human settlements had significantly reduced agricultural land. Linear settlement pattern was dominant within the sub location. Land subdivision was found to be high mainly for inheritance and real estate development. Cultivation was carried out on 56% of the land while 44% was built up area. The smallest farmland was 0.04 acres and the largest 53.17 acres with an average of 2.14 acres. The sub-location lacked standard infrastructure. Fifty three percent (53%) of the residents were positive to living in a nucleated settlement. Up to 93% of the respondents were self-employed in informal sector. Crop farming was the most common livelihood strategy. A total of 73% of the farmers practiced subsistence farming while only 5% were involved in commercial farming. Household income was low with 93% of the households earning less than Ksh. 50,000 and 7% earning over Ksh. 50,000 per month. Off-farm livelihoods were adopted to supplement the low-income levels. The study proposes a smart village model for optimal land use towards household resilience and livelihood sustainability. It proposes intensification of maize production for food, bananas for cash crop, dairy and poultry for livestock enterprise and forestry on steep slopes. Financing should be organized for farmers to be able to purchase affordable housing against their crop and livestock enterprises. Value addition should be carried out for all agricultural enterprises to enhance incomes.