Agricultural Enterprise Initiatives of USAID/Kenya - Land Tenure and ...

TABLE 4.1. MAIZE FARM SIZES, ELDORET (NCPB DATA)
Acres Acres / Ha Ha
1,000 2.47 405
200 2.47 81
1 2.47 0.4
0.5 2.47 0.20
Table 4.2 reflects farmer feedback during discussions on tea tree oil production in Nanyuki, Central
Province, facilitated by KHDP. For reasons including generating cash flow, the smaller farms of either
rainfed cereal or plantation crops are likely challenged to generate income to feed a family of six to eight
persons, let alone make profit.
TABLE 4.2. FARM SIZES - TEA TREE FARMERS, NANYUKI
Acres Acres / Ha Ha
42 2.47 17.00
20 2.47 8.10
10 2.47 4.05
5.5 2.47 2.23
5.5 2.47 2.23
5 2.47 2.02
4 2.47 1.62
4 2.47 1.62
3 2.47 1.21
3 2.47 1.21
2.5 2.47 1.01
2 2.47 0.81
2 2.47 0.81
Based on this review, the conclusion was for those who do not have land titles, having valid titles will allow
farmers to sell land and leave farming as a livelihood, or use the title to take a bank loan, lease, or allow an
investor to accumulate a range of leases for land consolidation to more economically viable sizes.
4.2 LAND TITLES AND LAND MARKETS
Findings on land markets between Central Province and the Rift Valley are different. In the Rift Valley,
although the basic agricultural production systems are in place, the region is characterized by a lack of
agricultural productivity, little use of irrigation, and low farm incomes with minimal private sector
investments for value adding.
4.2.1 Central Province Land Value Indications
Table 4.3 provides land values in Nyeri:
• District Nyeri South: more productive (i.e., irrigated and better rainfall) land, with land values around
KSH1.0 mio/acre (US $40,000/ha); and
• District Nyeri North: more rainfed land, with land values around KSH150,000 – 200,000/acre (US
$6,000 – 8,000/ha).
16 LTPR ASSESSMENT: AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES IN KENYA