Abstract:
This study sought to investigate the shamba system and its influence in livelihood strategies of the communities bordering Kaptagat Forest in Keiyo South Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The study was guided by the following objectives; to establish the significance of crop varieties grown by the communities bordering Kaptagat forest, to examine the influence of shamba system on food security status of community bordering Kaptagat forest and to determine influence of shamba system on household level income of the communities bordering Kaptagat forest in Keiyo South Sub-County. A theoretical framework was used whereby the contexts, conditions and trends; livelihood resources; institutional processes and organizational structures; livelihood strategies and sustainable livelihood outcomes were analyzed in relation to the natural resources and their impact on livelihood strategies adopted. The study design was a descriptive survey design and it was carried out in Keiyo South Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County. The target population was 11 Agricultural Officers 9 Forest Officers and 1000 households. A sample size of 91 Households was selected using stratified sampling, simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the Households while interview schedule was used to collect data from Agricultural and Forest Officers. Descriptive survey was used to analyze data assembled, coded with the assistance of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) program which generated frequency tables, percentages and bar graphs. The study revealed that 87% of the respondents agreed that the practice of crop farming is done in the forest. The crops are mainly planted for subsistence. Findings also showed that level of education of the farmer has a relationship with the level of crop production this was affirmed by 69% of the respondents. Besides, the shamba system makes it possible for the households (74.4%) to have access to food at an affordable cost. Consequently, majority of the farmers have a balanced diet (60%). Study findings revealed that the72.2% of the farmers earn income from the Shamba system. The income earned from the farming activities has also made it possible for the farmers to acquire better food purchases, and the land available at their homes is used for other livelihoods for instance dairy farming. Based on the study finding, crop farming is undertaken by communities bordering Kaptagat forest. Since, it is mainly done for subsistence purpose; there is need for the government to enhance farmers’ capacity by issuing more land for farming and ensuring that farmers have access to land once trees have matured.
