Effect of land use change on food production in Dede division, Migori County, Kenya

Abstract

Food production issues have dominated Kenyan Government development planning agenda for decades. Low food production has been experienced especially in areas where cash crops such as sugarcane are grown as it competes for rich agricultural land with food crops. Despite income from sugarcane, some households in Dede Division are still experiencing food shortages. This study assessed the effects of land use change on food production. 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. Qualitative data was obtained using key informant interviews (KII). More primary data was collected from direct observation and use of photography. Secondary data was obtained from published works, books and journals. Quantitative data was cross tabulated, and the analysis presented in tables. Qualitative data was coded, compiled and integrated into the text. It therefore emerged that land use was correlated with food production (r=-.560, p<.05) and land relocation had a negative effect on food production (r=-.657, p<.05). The study therefore concluded that changes in land use by the households are responsible for the low food production in the study area and lastly relocation resulted in low food production in the Division. This study therefore recommends that there should be policies focused on encouragement of efforts of Non-Governmental Organizations already on the ground such as ‘Njaa Marufuku’ to improve food production, the Government should also put measures in place for the relocated population to be adequately empowered to improve their coping capacity.