The use of linear programming in land use planning strategies for increased food crop production

Abstract

Land is the main asset in agricultural production and generally, limited availability of productive land is a major constraint to increased agricultural production and by extension food and nutritional security. The main feature of Kenya’s agriculture is domination of small-scale farmers who account for over 75% of total agricultural production. Production is carried out on small land holdings averaging 2-3 hectares. Due to increasing population pressure on agricultural land, plantation forest under the plantation establishment and livelihoods support (PELIS) formerly Shamba System, has been an effective method of providing land to landless forest neighboring farmers. However there has been a concern that the system leads to destruction of forests through inadequate supervision by the Kenya Forest Service. This study therefore aimed at examining the benefits of this system of forest plantation establishment. Data on farming costs, revenue and socio-economic conditions were collected from the farmers. Net present value approach was used in investigating the financial benefit of the Shamba system to the forestland farmers. Linear programming crop-and-area allocation model was developed for examining ways of optimizing food production and income from the forest over a 30 - year period. Results show that Shamba system has a positive net financial return. The results suggest that the Shamba system is a viable activity and is of benefit to the forestland farmers.