Abstract:
In most societies, land forms the basis for providing and sustaining peoples’ livelihoods.
In Kenya for instance, over 80% of the population derives its livelihood from land. The
continued overreliance on land whether directly or otherwise has greatly increased the
desire to own the same resource. This has resulted in land sub-division that has impacted
greatly on agricultural productivity. Land sub-division especially in agriculturally
dominated rural set-ups has been a blessing in disguise with no clear outcome on the
agricultural sector. This study was therefore undertaken with a main objective of
assessing the effect of land sub-division on agricultural productivity in Trans-Nzoia West
sub-county. The specific objectives of the study were to: -assess the land sub-division
situation in Trans-Nzoia West sub-county, examine the determinants of land sub-division
in Trans-Nzoia West sub-county, and evaluate the effect of land sub-division on
agricultural productivity within the sub-county. The study was guided by a conceptual
framework developed by the researcher to examine the relationship between land and
agricultural productivity while assessing the influence of government as well as other
factors such as technology, weather conditions and demographic factors. A descriptive
research design was employed and it targeted a population of 84,277 households of
Trans-Nzoia West sub-county. Multi stage and simple random sampling techniques were
used to select a sample size of 125 households for the study. Instruments of data
collection were questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist. Data from
questionnaires was subjected to SPSS software version 21 and analyzed descriptively and
results obtained presented in form of tables, percentages, means, graphs and charts.
Information from interview schedules was presented thematically while those from the
observation schedules were presented in form of photographs. Arising from the study
findings, land sub-division is indeed an evident occurrence in the study area despite the
fact that it is being seen to be stabilizing over the last ten years. The sub-division is
determined by a number of factors including financial, cultural and social factors. The
study established that land sub-division negatively affects agricultural output. The study
findings therefore underscores the need to have government intervention to enforce
legislations to prevent worsening of the problem. Future studies could examine strategies
that could be employed to increase agricultural output on small farm sizes.
