Upto 1970s to 80, kenya was self sufficient in food
supply, thanks to large scale farming.
However, post colonial Kenya saw a destruction of
agriculture as former large farms were subdivided
way below any economically viable acreage. There was a scramble
by Kenyans and those in government to own a piece of former white higlands,
no matter if one was a farmer or not. Polices for sound land reform were
passed, but remained in the shelves, not implemented.
This hunger for land drastically has reduced arable land as many farms were turned into settlements.
Areas around Thika, Nakuru, Nyahururu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kitale are now
witnessing dwindling arable land as urbainiztaion expands.
What future is there for Kenyan agriculture and hence food security if this
trend is not tamed ? |