By E, KNA
Subdivision of land and climate change have emerged as major threats to agricultural sustainability and food security in Kenya, experts have warned.
Speaking during an international forum convened at Egerton University, agricultural researchers and policymakers said that even with Kenya’s aspirations of becoming a manufacturing-driven economy, agriculture remains the backbone of the nation, supplying both raw materials and food. They stressed that the twin challenges of land fragmentation and climate change must be urgently addressed to safeguard the country’s economic growth and food basket.
Egerton University Vice Chancellor, Professor Isaac Kibwage, suggested that restoring fragmented land into agriculturally productive units could be achieved through collective farming models similar to Israel’s kibbutz system. Such a system, he explained, would allow landholders to retain infrastructure, enhance economies of scale, and promote sustainable farming practices.
Professor Kibwage emphasised the need to debunk the persistent belief that land is primarily for individual ownership rather than a factor of production. He noted that the continuous transformation of fertile farmland into small, unproductive holdings underscores the urgent need for policy reforms.
“The subdivision of fertile land into uneconomic units continues to reduce productivity. We must reframe our mindset and treat land as a key factor of production, not merely an inheritance to be fragmented,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor called for a comprehensive land use policy to guide proper utilization of fragmented parcels, recommending strict enforcement of provisions that bar agricultural land from being subdivided below five acres. He said failure to enforce such laws has worsened uncontrolled land fragmentation, contributing to declining food production despite Kenya’s growing population.
Citing recent studies, he noted that food production has been decreasing even as the population continues to rise, warning that unless deliberate measures are taken, the country could face a serious food crisis.
Professor Kibwage was delivering his presentation at the “Transforming African Agricultural Universities to Meaningfully Contribute to Africa’s Growth and Development (TAGDev 2.0) Programme” conference hosted at Egerton University in Njoro.
The Vice Chancellor also urged Kenyans to shift from the culture of land hoarding to leasing out land for agricultural use. He said leasing idle land would ensure it remains productive, boosting food security and reducing wastage of arable resources.
TAGDev 2.0 is a ten-year initiative (2023–2033) being implemented by Egerton University in partnership with the Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM), the Mastercard Foundation, and the Global Confederation of Higher Education Associations for Agriculture and Life Sciences (GCHERA). The program also involves universities in Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, Malawi, and Morocco. Its main objective is to enhance agricultural education, research, and leadership to address systemic challenges in Africa’s agri-food system.
During the themed dialogue, “Accelerating Transformative Education through Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue and Collaboration,” Prof Kibwage underscored the urgency of moving away from traditional lecture-based training in agricultural education. He called for competency-based, practical, and inclusive teaching approaches that would equip learners with problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovative skills.
“Agricultural education must equip learners not only with theoretical knowledge but also the capacity to innovate and find solutions to food security and climate challenges. Only then can we align with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals,” he said.
He further urged county governments to formulate research-driven land utilization policies to combat land fragmentation and strengthen food security, emphasizing that devolved units must take the lead in implementing practical solutions.
Official statistics show Kenya has about 587,000 square kilometres of land, of which 11,000 square kilometres is covered by water. However, only 16 percent of the landmass is of high and medium agricultural potential with adequate rainfall. Within this arable land, cropland occupies 31 percent, grazing land 30 percent, and forests 22 percent. The remaining 17 percent is under settlements and game parks.
Experts warn that rapid population growth, unplanned urbanization, and speculative land buying are worsening land fragmentation. In Nakuru County, for instance—one of Kenya’s food baskets—land-buying companies have been accused of purchasing vast agricultural tracts in Kabarak, Njoro, Molo, Gilgil, Mau Narok, and Naivasha and subdividing them into uneconomic 50×100-foot plots unsuitable for farming.
Nakuru is renowned for producing key food crops such as maize, wheat, potatoes, cabbages, and carrots in areas like Dundori, Ngorika, Rongai, Solai, Subukia, and Bahati. It is also one of the four main maize-producing regions in Kenya, alongside Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, and Bungoma, as recognized by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT).
A report by the Tegemeo Institute of Policy Research and Analysis warned that shrinking farm sizes undermine efforts to reduce poverty and food insecurity, particularly as employment opportunities in manufacturing and services remain limited.
The report, “Emerging Land Issues in Kenyan Agriculture and their Implications for Food Policy and Institutional Reforms,” notes that Kenya’s population grew from 11 million in 1970 to 39.5 million in 2011 and is projected to reach 81 million by 2039. It highlights that medium-scale farms now control only 0.84 million hectares, while large-scale farms hold 0.69 million hectares. The remaining 2.63 million hectares are divided among millions of smallholder farmers.
Professor Gideon Obare, Director at the Tegemeo Institute, lamented that urban expansion is replacing fertile farmland with settlements and infrastructure, accelerating environmental degradation.
“Population growth and unplanned urbanization are taking a huge toll on arable land. Squatter settlements are encroaching on fertile farmlands, leading to declining productivity and environmental destruction,” Prof. Obare warned.
He added that the conversion of large-scale farms into smaller units through subdivision and intensive cultivation is also diminishing Kenya’s plantation forests, further compounding the risks of climate change.
Experts compared Kenya’s situation with developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, where strict laws prohibit farmland subdivision, ensuring preservation of large agricultural units to maximize productivity. In these countries, diversified economies reduce pressure on agricultural land. In contrast, Kenya’s agriculture-dependent economy continues to face severe risks from both land fragmentation and climate change.
Professor Kibwage concluded by stressing that Kenya’s agricultural policies must be guided by scientific research and international best practices to protect food security and economic growth.
“Our agricultural policies must be research-driven to address the challenge of uncontrolled land use. Unless we act now, land fragmentation and climate change will continue to undermine the agricultural sector—the backbone of our economy,” he cautioned.
The TAGDev 2.0 conference brought together experts, policymakers, agripreneurs, and government officials from across Africa, who echoed the call for bold reforms to ensure agriculture remains productive and resilient.