Implications of Human-Wildlife Conflict on Food Security among Smallholder Agro-Pastoralists: A Case of Smallholder Maize (Zea mays) Farmers in Laikipia County, Kenya

Abstract

The agricultural sector is important for achieving food security, employment creation and economic growth, besides supplying raw materials for agro-based industries. However, farmers experience challenges which could undermine agricultural productivity and production such as effects of human-wildlife conflict. Wildlife in Laikipia County move out of their habitats into farmland, thus damage crops. This study sought to determine how wildlife attack and damage influence food security among smallholder maize farmers in Laikipia County. A descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was used. Two hundred smallholder maize farmers previously invaded by wildlife were sampled. A questionnaire was administered on the 200 farmers to collect primary data. Secondary data was collected using a document review guide. The questionnaire was piloted in Narok County using 30 agro-pastoralists bordering Maasai Game Reserve. A reliability coefficient of ά=0.85 was adopted because it was more than ά=0.70, which is the acceptable minimum at 0.05 confidence level. Validation of the questionnaire and document review guide was done by 5 agricultural extension experts at Agricultural Education and Extension Department of Egerton University and the pilot testing in Narok County. Data was analysed using the per cent and mode. This study established that human-wildlife conflict is significantly influencing food security among smallholder maize farmers in Laikipia County. This was shown by large maize crop losses of even up to 100% despite the use of various mitigation strategies. It was therefore recommended that a study be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of wildlife mitigation strategies adopted by the farmers in Laikipia County.