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Population, land tenure, and natural resource management: the case of customary land area in Malawi

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Author Info
Place, Frank
Otsuka, Keijiro

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Abstract

This paper uses cross section-time series data on 57 communities in Malawi to determine statistically the factors determining changes in land use, tree cover, and crop yield. The econometric model is developed from a theoretical model which also endogenizes population growth and prevailing land tenure institutions within the customary sector of Malawi. The analysis reflects changes between 1971 and 1995, utilizing aerial photos taken at these dates and complementing these with field surveys. The data show a deterioration of Malawi's natural resource base: declining yields, loss of tree cover, and near exhaustion of land for agricultural expansion. Key findings are that population pressure induces land conversion but not yield or tree cover change; the matrilocal system of household residence is negatively associated with tree cover but induces agricultural conversion; and there is some improvement in management of resources as their scarcity increases. Policy recommendations include greater focus on agroforestry to increase tree cover as woodland areas are poorly managed, and increased effort to improve market integration since this benefits crop yields without adverse effects on tree cover.

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Paper provided by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in its series EPTD discussion papers with number 27.

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Date of creation: 1997
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Handle: RePEc:fpr:eptddp:27

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Keywords: Crop yields.; Econometric models.; Population density.; Forest management.; Malawi.;

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References listed on IDEAS
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  1. Mendelsohn, Robert, 1994. "Property Rights and Tropical Deforestation," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 46(0), pages 750-56, Supplemen. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  2. Kydd, Jonathan & Christiansen, Robert, 1982. "Structural change in Malawi since independence: Consequences of a development strategy based on large-scale agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 10(5), pages 355-375, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  3. Ault, David E & Rutman, Gilbert L, 1979. "The Development of Individual Rights to Property in Tribal Africa," Journal of Law & Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 22(1), pages 163-82, April.
  4. Otsuka, Keijiro & Suyanto, S. & Tomich, Thomas P., 1997. "Does land tenure insecurity discourage tree planting?: evolution of customary land tenure and agroforestry management in Sumatra," EPTD discussion papers 31, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  5. Smale, Melinda, 1995. ""Maize is life": Malawi's delayed Green Revolution," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(5), pages 819-831, May. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
  6. Place, Frank & Otsuka, Keijiro, 1997. "Population pressure, land tenure, and tree resource management in Uganda:," EPTD discussion papers 24, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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  7. French, David, 1986. "Confronting an unsolvable problem: Deforestation in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 14(4), pages 531-540, April. [Downloadable!] (restricted)
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  1. Zhang, Xiaobo & Fan, Shenggen, 2001. "How productive is infrastructure?: new approach and evidence from rural India," EPTD discussion papers 84, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  2. You, Liangzhi & Rosegrant, Mark W. & Fang, Cheng & Wood, Stanley, 2005. "Impact of global warming on Chinese wheat productivity:," EPTD discussion papers 143, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  3. Hazell, P. B. R. & Oram, Peter A. & Chaherli, Nabil, 2001. "Managing droughts in the low-rainfall areas of the Middle East and North Africa:," EPTD discussion papers 78, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  4. Fisher, Monica & Shively, Gerald, 2003. "Do Tropical Forests Provide A Safety Net? Income Shocks And Forest Extraction In Malawi," 2003 Annual meeting, July 27-30, Montreal, Canada 22228, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association). [Downloadable!]
  5. Fan, Shenggen & Fang, Cheng & Zhang, Xiaobo, 2001. "How agricultural research affects urban poverty in developing countries: the case of China," EPTD discussion papers 83, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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  6. Zhang, Xiaobo & Li, Guo, 2001. "Does Guanxi matter to nonfarm employment?:," EPTD discussion papers 74, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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  7. Smale, Melinda & Hodgkin, T. & Zohrabian, Armineh & Day-Rubenstein, K., 2001. "The demand for crop genetic resources: international use of the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System," EPTD discussion papers 82, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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  8. Cai, Ximing & McKinney, Daene C. & Rosegrant, Mark W., 2001. "Sustainability analysis for irrigation water management: concepts, methodology, and application to the Aral Sea region," EPTD discussion papers 86, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  9. Pender, John L. & Fafchamps, Marcel, 2001. "Land lease markets and agricultural efficiency: theory and evidence from Ethiopia," EPTD discussion papers 81, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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  10. McCarthy, Nancy & Kamara. Abdul & Kirk, Michael, 2001. "The effect of environmental variability on livestock and land-use management: the Borana Plateau, Southern Ethiopia," EPTD discussion papers 75, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  11. Ryan, James G., 1999. "Assessing the impact of policy research and capacity building by IFPRI in Malawi:," Impact assessments 11, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
  12. Skees, Jerry & Hazell, P. B. R. & Miranda, Mario, 1999. "New approaches to crop yield insurance in developing countries:," EPTD discussion papers 55, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). [Downloadable!]
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