Live in flats to free arable lands: Study
What you need to know:
- The study titled “Climate Change and Food Security: Predictions from the Future”, argues that Kenya is facing the challenge of climate change and a rising population. This means more mouths too feed and people to house.
A team of researchers are recommending that families be compelled to live in storeyed houses to improve food security.
It is a radical suggestion the researchers from a Catholic study centre in Nairobi say could help free up arable land from the pressures of housing demands.
The recommendation is based on findings by the Jesuit Hakimani Centre and the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development.
The study titled “Climate Change and Food Security: Predictions from the Future”, argues that Kenya is facing the challenge of climate change and a rising population. This means more mouths too feed and people to house.
“There is a worrying trend in food production due to a combination of factors such as drop in yield per hectare, subdivision of agricultural land and weak support from stakeholders,” said the study.
“Regions with concentrated settlements may be more receptive to proposals of clustered settlement to free land for agriculture.”
The researchers interviewed 1500 respondents from 25 selected counties that form the food basket and have exhibited changes over the years; land ownership challenges and new development such as mining.
