Assessing the Determinants Influencing Land Use and Land Cover Change on Land under Maize Cultivation in Likuyani Sub-County, Kakamega County, Kenya

Abstract

For numerous years, human activities have involved modifying land to sustain basic needs like food which has brought various changes on the Earth's surface. Likuyani Sub County is endowed with good climatic conditions for farming and human settlements. The main cause is rapid population increase, which leads to the division of land into smaller and less profitable units. The objective of the study was; to assess determinants influencing (LULCC) Land use Land cover Change in the maize-cultivating areas of Likuyani Sub County Kakamega County, Kenya from 1997 to 2017. The research employed a descriptive and correlational research design. A study sample size of 286 respondents was used. The data collection tools used were questionnaires and Registry Index Maps which were analyzed using SPSS and ArcGIS 10.3 software respectively. The findings from this study showed that land subdivision, population, market forces and crop diversification affected land use and land cover changes on land used for maize cultivation in Likuyani Sub County from 1997 to 2017. Regression analysis statistical techniques revealed the detrimental impact of land alterations on land under maize cultivation. The study recommends restriction of crop diversification in maize growing areas and minimum land size of one hectare. The study informs policymakers to address gaps in land management and reserve land as a means of sustaining livelihoods. The study concludes that that land use and cover dynamics arose due to dynamicity of human activity.