An investigation of the effect of land subdivisions on sugarcane production: a case of land holdings within Sony sugar company zone, Kenya

Abstract

The Kenya Sugar industry has not been able to produce enough sugar to meet the domestic demand. The low production of sugar and low income to the farmer is caused by unsustainable land use practices occasioned by uncontrolled land subdivisions. This research is important as it helped in identifying the priority needs of the farmers and how to address these constraints. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of land subdivisions on sugarcane production within SONY Sugar zone. The findings of this research provided vital data to assist researchers, development practitioners, academicians, policy makers, among others to monitor and evaluate existing relations between land subdivision and sugarcane production and to design new strategies and policies for sustainable land use management. The research used a quasi-experimental design that uses pretest – posttest control group design without randomization. The study population was 718 land holders who have continuously used the same parcel of land for sugarcane farming for the last ten years. A sample of 72 land holders was used. Secondary and primary data were collected and analyzed by simple descriptive analysis tested at critical alpha (α) of 0.05 significance level using chi-square test of independence. The findings of this research showed that land subdivision reduces sugarcane production. The farmers are subdividing their land to their sons thus resulting in reduction of mean land holding per individual. The study also revealed that with reduction of the land sizes, per unit cost of production increase; thereby, discouraging farmers from sugarcane production. The study recommends that for sugarcane production to be competitive, sugar milling companies should contract farmers with the land size that allows them to break-even. The study recommends that more farmers be sensitized to consolidate their family land so as to realize economies of scale. The government should also make legislation that prohibits land subdivision below certain minimal level. vii