Abstract
This study sought to determine the effects of ancestral land size on food production in Dede Division, Migori County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design with a sample size of 370 households drawn from a population of 9,503 households within the Division. Quantitative data was collected using household questionnaires administered to household heads while qualitative data was obtained using key informant interviews. The findings revealed that sugarcane was the most preferred cash crop by beneficiaries, contributing significantly to expansion of land under cash crop farming and reduction in land available for food crops. The study concluded that commercialization of sugarcane farming has greatly reduced food crop production and recommended formulation of policy frameworks to regulate land subdivision and cash crop expansion.
Keywords
Ancestral Land Size, Food Production, Sugarcane Farming, Land Subdivision, Cash Crops, Dede Division, Kenya.
7. Conclusion
The study concludes that expansion of sugarcane farming has significantly reduced land available for food crop production in Dede Division. Increased land fragmentation and prioritization of cash crops have negatively affected household food security.
8. References
[1] Aringo, K.O. (2008). Impact of contracted Sugarcane Farming on Household Food Security in Uriri Division-Kenya.
[2] Aluoka, N.O.O. (1999). The Impact of Sugarcane farming on household food security in Muhoroni Division.
[3] Ambwere, S. (2003). Policy Implications of Land Subdivision in Settlement Areas.
[4] Aynekulu, E., et al. (2016). Plant diversity and regeneration in Ethiopia.
[5] Berger, M., & Finkbeiner, M. (2010). Water footprinting and sustainability.
[6] Evelyn, N. (2005). Kenya’s sugar industry report.
[7] Egesa, K. (2004). Decline in food production in smallholder villages.
[8] FAOSTAT. (2008). Food Production Statistics.
[9] Fernandez, M. & Nuthall, P. (2009). Technical efficiency in sugarcane production.
[10] Fischer, G., et al. (2008). Land use dynamics and sugarcane production in Brazil.
[11] Gheler-Costa, C., et al. (2013). Sugarcane and natural hazards in Brazil.
[12] Hua, Q. (2010). Rural to urban labor migration and livelihoods in China.
[13] Kennedy, T.K., & Cogill, B. (1997). Income and nutritional effects of commercialization.
[14] Kenya Republic. (2013). National Development Plan.
[15] Kilel, C. (1993). Impact of Sugarcane Farming on Household Food Security.
[16] Krejcie, R., & Morgan, D. (1970). Determining Sample Size for Research Activities.
[17] Lapola, D.M., et al. (2010). Indirect land-use changes from biofuels.
[18] Lavers, T. (2012). Agrarian transformation in Ethiopia.
[19] Li, Y.R & Yang, L.T. (2015). Sugarcane agriculture and sugar industry in China.
[20] Nassar, A.M. & Moreira, M. (2013). Sugarcane expansion in Brazil.
[21] Ndirangu, W. (2010). Annual Agricultural Report for Awendo/Rongo Districts.
[22] Nyangweso, G.O. (2011). Effects of Land Subdivisions on Sugarcane Production.
[23] Obonyo, V., et al. (2016). Land Fragmentation and Food Security.
[24] Obuoyo, J.A. (2005). Traditional crops and food production in Kenya.
[25] Ogbu, J. (1993). Seasonal hunger in Tropical Africa.
[26] Omolo, M., & Odongo, P. (2004). Challenges facing the sugar industry in Kenya.
[27] Roka, F.M., et al. (2010). Costs and returns for sugarcane production.
[28] Rozelle, S., & Huang, J. (1999). Supply and demand of agricultural commodities.
[29] Schmook, B., & Radel, C. (2008). International labour migration.
[30] Shimamura, S. (2016). Indoor cultivation for the future.
[31] Senbeta, F., & Teketay, D. (2001). Regeneration of indigenous woody species.
[32] Sulle, E. (2017). Politics of land and sugarcane outgrowing in Tanzania.
[33] Waswa, F., et al. (2012). Contract sugarcane farming and farmer incomes.