Abstract:
The broad objective of the study was to assess the effects of land fragmentation on seed
production and quality among farms in Saboti sub-county. The study sought to achieve the
following specific objectives: to establish cause of land fragmentation; evaluate the effects of
land fragmentation on seed quality and production; and to evaluate the effects of land
fragmentation on food security in Saboti Sub-County. The study adapted a descriptive research
design. The target respondents were 360 small-holder farmers in the county. Probability
sampling techniques was used in selecting the sample. The researcher targeted a total of 36
farmers from the sub county. The study used descriptive and analytical methods of data analysis
which were mainly performed using the SPSS data analysis package. The data was analyzed
using quantitative analysis method. The study showed that the need for diversification and crop
rotate are the major reasons as to why farmers in Saboti engage in land fragmentation. Other
reasons cited included: ease of supervision/ ease land administration; ease of pest control on
small parcels; high population density / need to settle households; and need to increase
subsistence food availability or household food security. The findings showed that land
fragmentation affects seed production and seed quality. The findings showed that low volumes of
production and isolation problems especially for maize production are the major land
fragmentation related issues that have affected seed production and quality. Thirdly, the study
showed that land fragmentation affects household food security. The study revealed that there is
shortage of food for subsistence use because. The study recommends that the government
(national and county) ought to put in place measures to discourage fragmentation of agricultural
land in Saboti sub-county; as well as provide both financial and non-financial incentives for
farmers to encourage land scale farming.
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