AN ECONOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF THE DETERMINANTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF LAND FRAGMENTATION ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY: EVIDENCE FROM DISTRICT CHARSADDA, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

Abstract

This paper presents an econometric analysis of the determinants and consequences of land fragmentation on crop productivity in District Charsadda, KP. Through multistage sampling technique a total of 95 sample farming households were selected, and primary data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires and interviews schedule method. Using descriptive statistics Simpson Index, and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression models to analyze the effects of socio-economic and institutional factors on land fragmentation and also the productivity of wheat and maize crop in the study area. The analysis highlighted that the coefficient and p-value for age was (β = −0.005, p < 0.01) and for education was (β = −0.013, p < 0.01) were negatively and significantly associated with agriculture land fragmentation, indicating that aging and higher educated sampled farmers tend to have more consolidated land. As compare, household size (β = 0.018, p = 0.01), for urban pressure (β = 0.121, p < 0.05), for inheritance law (β = 0.141, p = 0.013), and for tenancy status was (β = 0.173, p = 0.048) were positive and significant effected land fragmentation, suggesting that greater families, urban expansion, traditional inheritance systems, and insecure tenure contribute to greater land fragmentation. About crop productivity, fragmented landholding had significantly decrease wheat (β = −11.997, p = 0.016) and maize productivity (β = −10.308, p < 0.05). However, the other statistically significant factors included age and education of household head, farm size, access to agricultural credit, and access to extension services were negative associated, while labor availability was positively affected maize productivity. This study concludes that socio-economic and institutional factors were critically impact on land fragmentation, which in turn negatively influence on crop productivity, emphasizing the need for policies targeting land consolidation, implement effective inheritance policies, efficient agriculture credit use, and enhanced extension services to improve crop productivity.