Effect of Human-Wildlife Conflict on Food Security among Small-Scale Maize Farmers in Laikipia County, Kenya

Agriculture contributes to 30 % of the global Gross Domestic Product and employs more than 2 billion people in the world. In Kenya, the agriculture sector contributes 26 % of total GDP, 18 % formal employment, 65 % of total exports, 70 % informal employment, is a source of employment food and income. However, the agriculture sector is affected by human-wildlife conflict. Although wildlife contributes significantly to national economic development, there exists human-wildlife conflict especially in unprotected wildlife habitats. Human-wildlife conflict can significantly contribute to food insecurity. However, information on its effect on food security among small-scale maize farmers in Laikipia County is inadequate and poorly documented. This study sought to establish how human-wildlife conflict affects food security among small-scale maize farmers. Document review and analysis was used in undertaking this study. A document review guide was used to collect data. It was established that human-wildlife conflict causes severe crop damage and livestock injury or even death. Although farmers use various mitigation strategies most of them traditional in nature, significant crop damage is being experienced. It was therefore concluded that human-wildlife conflict could be significantly affecting food security among small-scale maize farmers in Laikipia County. A study should be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of mitigation strategies used by small-scale farmers. Further, a study should be done to establish the influence of agricultural extension mitigation strategies on human-wildlife conflict. The information generated could be used by policy makers and agricultural extension service providers to plan better on how to mitigate the effect of human-wildlife conflict.