The Fractured Farm: Exploring the Effects of Land Subdivision on African Agribusiness

In recent decades, rapid population growth and urbanization in Africa have led to an increasing demand for land for various purposes, including agriculture and urban development. To meet this demand, land subdivision has become a common practice, wherein large areas of agricultural land are divided into smaller plots for various uses. While land subdivision can offer opportunities for economic growth and increased land access, it also brings significant challenges to agriculture, posing potential threats to food security and rural livelihoods.

In a research conducted by the Catholic Church’s Jesuit Hakimani Centre (JHC) based in Nairobi and a recent publication by a leading media house in Kenya Sub-division of land have emerged as among the major threats to food security in the country.

Currently, the challenge is the culture of inheriting and subdividing the land among siblings. This has made land almost too small for significant production. In addition, huge amounts of rich agricultural land are being turned into real estate. According to the study, half of the farmers surveyed were growing food on land inherited from their parents, while 25 per cent had bought pieces of land. Only 11 per cent had leased the land for farming

Statistics by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) show that a majority of Africa’s farmers now farm on less than one hectare of land.

According to FAO, in the last 10 years the land/person in agriculture ratio in Kenya declined from 0.264 to the current 0.219. Explained as a percentage, this means that the number of people with one hectare of agricultural land in Kenya decreased by 17 percent over the last decade.

Within the same period, the number of people with one hectare of agricultural land declined by 13 percent in Zambia and by 16 percent in Uganda.

Smallholder farmers across Africa account for at least 75 percent of agricultural outputs, according to FAO.

“Small-scale farmers still produce more than big farms. Big farms often lie idle, investors hoard them for speculative purposes, they rarely grow food on this land,” Isaac Maiyo from Schemers, an agricultural community-based organisation in Kenya, explaining that 93 percent of farmers in Botswana are smallholders.

Allan Moshi, a land policy expert on sub-Saharan Africa based in Zambia, tells IPS that while investors are rushing to East and southern Africa and making large-scale planned land acquisitions, “large-scale land acquisition not only reduces available land for locals, but what is available to the locals still has to be subdivided [because of] land inheritance.”

He explains that land subdivision has been driven by growth in population, land inheritance “as well as a shift from customary land tenures to land owned by individuals based on the belief that individuals can exploit the productive potential of land more effectively.”

According to a 2012 USAID report titled “Emerging Land Issues in Africa”, 25 percent of young adults who grew up in rural areas did not inherit land because there was no land to inherit.

“[People] just want to have a title deed even if it means subdividing the land to economically non-viable portions, while big investors are interested in high-value crops, particularly in horticulture, limiting available land for food crops,” Moshi says.

Here’s the impact of land fracturing;

Fragmentation of Agricultural Land

Land subdivision can lead to the fragmentation of agricultural land, resulting in smaller and irregularly shaped plots. Fragmentation makes it challenging for farmers to implement modern and efficient farming techniques, such as mechanization and irrigation, which are more feasible on larger, contiguous plots. Smaller plots also limit economies of scale, making it harder for farmers to access credit, modern inputs, and new technologies.

Reduced Agricultural Productivity

With smaller land plots and the absence of economies of scale, agricultural productivity may decline. Traditional farming methods may no longer be sustainable, leading to decreased crop yields and reduced profitability for farmers. Furthermore, fragmented land may lack proper irrigation facilities, leading to water scarcity and affecting crop growth, especially during dry seasons.

Land Conflict and Insecurity

Land subdivision can trigger conflicts over land ownership and boundaries among neighboring communities. Disputes may arise due to unclear land titles, leading to prolonged legal battles and inhibiting investments in agriculture. Additionally, the fear of potential land expropriation for urban expansion may discourage farmers from making long-term investments in their land, affecting their sense of security and willingness to invest in improved farming practices.

Shift from Subsistence to Commercial Farming

Land subdivision can lead to a shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture. As land becomes scarce and fragmented, farmers may prioritize cash crops over food crops to maximize profits from limited resources. This shift can impact food security and cause the neglect of traditional crops, affecting local biodiversity and food diversity.

Impact on Rural Communities

Agriculture is the backbone of many African rural communities, providing livelihoods and cultural identity. Land subdivision can displace smallholder farmers and disrupt the social fabric of rural communities. The migration of rural populations to urban areas in search of better opportunities can further strain urban infrastructure and services.

Solutions and Recommendations

• Integrated Land Use Planning: Governments and stakeholders should promote integrated land use planning that balances the needs of agriculture, urban development, and conservation. This approach ensures that agricultural land is protected from unplanned subdivision and urban sprawl.
• Land Tenure Security: Ensuring clear and secure land tenure rights is essential for encouraging long-term investments in agriculture. Governments should establish transparent and efficient land registration systems to reduce conflicts over land ownership.
• Agricultural Extension Services: Investing in agricultural extension services can help smallholder farmers adopt modern farming techniques and technologies, despite fragmented land. Knowledge transfer and training can enhance productivity and income.
• Irrigation Infrastructure: Developing and expanding irrigation infrastructure can mitigate water scarcity issues in fragmented plots, ensuring consistent crop yields throughout the year.
• Promotion of Cooperatives: Encouraging farmers to form cooperatives can help aggregate small plots, enabling collective action, access to resources, and improved bargaining power in the market.

Land subdivision in Africa can have both positive and negative effects on agriculture. While it offers opportunities for increased land access and economic growth, it also poses challenges such as fragmentation, reduced productivity, and land conflicts. By implementing integrated land use planning, ensuring land tenure security, investing in agricultural extension services, developing irrigation infrastructure, and promoting cooperatives, African countries can strike a balance between urban development and sustainable agriculture, ensuring food security and rural prosperity for generations to come.

By: Hillary Kimani