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Land Constraints in Kenya’s Densely Populated Rural Areas: Implications for Food Policy and Institutional Reform

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  • Jayne, Thomas S.
  • Muyanga, Milu

Abstract

This study analyzes the impact of increasing population density in Kenya’s rural areas on smallholder behavior and welfare indicators. We first present evidence to explain how land constraints can be emerging within an overall context of apparent land under-utilization. Using data from five panel surveys on 1,146 small-scale farms over the 1997-2010 period, we use econometric techniques to determine how increasing rural population density is affecting farm household behavior and livelihoods. We find that farm productivity and incomes tend to rise with population density up to 600-650 persons per km2; beyond this threshold, rising population density is associated with sharp declines in farm productivity, total household income, and asset wealth. Currently 14% of Kenya’s rural population resides in areas exceeding this population density. The study concludes by exploring the nature of institutional and policy reforms needed to address these development problems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jayne, Thomas S. & Muyanga, Milu, 2012. "Land Constraints in Kenya’s Densely Populated Rural Areas: Implications for Food Policy and Institutional Reform," 86th Annual Conference, April 16-18, 2012, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 134723, Agricultural Economics Society.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aesc12:134723
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.134723
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    4. Godfred O Boateng & Shalean M Collins & Patrick Mbullo & Pauline Wekesa & Maricianah Onono & Torsten B Neilands & Sera L Young, 2018. "A novel household water insecurity scale: Procedures and psychometric analysis among postpartum women in western Kenya," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-28, June.
    5. Emily Mutea & Stephan Rist & Johanna Jacobi, 2020. "Applying the Theory of Access to Food Security among Smallholder Family Farmers around North-West Mount Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-14, February.
    6. Mugizi, Francisco M.P. & Matsumoto, Tomoya, 2020. "Population pressure and soil quality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Panel evidence from Kenya," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    7. Zaneta Kubik, 2017. "Climatic variation as a determinant of rural-to-rural migration destination choice:Evidence from Tanzania," Documents de travail du Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne 17037, Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Centre d'Economie de la Sorbonne.
    8. Josephson, Anna Leigh & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Florax, Raymond J.G.M. & Chamberlain, Jordan & Heady, Derek, 2012. "How does Population Density affect Agricultural Productivity? Evidence from Ethiopia," 2012 Annual Meeting, August 12-14, 2012, Seattle, Washington 124996, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Bajo-Buenestado, Raúl, 2021. "The effect of blackouts on household electrification status: Evidence from Kenya," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    10. Yeboah, F. Kwame & Jayne, T.S., 2016. "Africa’S Evolving Employment Structure," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 259511, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    11. Kibrom A. Abay & Leah E. M. Bevis & Christopher B. Barrett, 2021. "Measurement Error Mechanisms Matter: Agricultural Intensification with Farmer Misperceptions and Misreporting," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 103(2), pages 498-522, March.
    12. Alden Wily Liz, 2014. "The Law and Land Grabbing: Friend or Foe?," The Law and Development Review, De Gruyter, vol. 7(2), pages 1-36, December.
    13. Zaneta Kubik, 2017. "Climatic variation as a determinant of rural-to-rural migration destination choice: Evidence from Tanzania," Post-Print halshs-01599362, HAL.
    14. Zaneta Kubik, 2017. "Climatic variation as a determinant of rural-to-rural migration destination choice: Evidence from Tanzania," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) halshs-01599362, HAL.
    15. Bosco Bashangwa Mpozi & Mireille Mizero & Andrew Ogolla Egesa & Paul M. Dontsop Nguezet & Bernard Vanlauwe & Patrice Ndimanya & Philippe Lebailly, 2020. "Land Access in the Development of Horticultural Crops in East Africa. A Case Study of Passion Fruit in Burundi, Kenya, and Rwanda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-18, April.
    16. Macharia, Anthony M. & Carpio, Carlos E. & Kirimi, Lilian, 2018. "Heterogeneity In Irrigation Technology Impacts: Implications For Adoption," 2018 Annual Meeting, August 5-7, Washington, D.C. 274358, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    17. Wineman, Ayala & Jayne, Thomas S., 2017. "Intra-Rural Migration And Pathways To Greater Well-Being: Evidence From Tanzania," Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security Policy Research Papers 261669, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics, Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Security (FSP).
    18. Jayne, T.S. & Chamberlin, Jordan & Headey, Derek D., 2014. "Land pressures, the evolution of farming systems, and development strategies in Africa: A synthesis," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 1-17.

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    Keywords

    Agricultural and Food Policy; Food Security and Poverty; Land Economics/Use;
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