Analysis of Land Fragmentation as a Causative Factor of Sugarcane Productivity in Central Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

The main theme of this study was to examine the effects of land fragmentation on sugarcane productivity and how unequal are these effects on farmers of different socioeconomic family background. A total of 384 farmers (above the age of 18 years) were selected by multistage random sampling technique, from two districts (Charsadda & Mardan) of Central Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Data was collected through interview schedule. A 3-point Likert scale was developed as a measuring tool. Association of independent and dependent variables was determined by Chi-square test and Kendall’s Tau-c statistics.Land fragmentation was found significantly and negatively associated with the continuous division of land into small uncultivable pieces (p=0.001 &=-0.120), the pieces of land inherited are spread out in dispersed areas (p=0.000 &=-0.119), management of fragmented agricultural plots are difficult (p=0.000 &=-0.135), small scattered plots hamper the use of machinery (p=0.000 &=-0.112), small scale plots discourage the development of infrastructure (p=0.003 &=-0.105), and land fragmented often hampers crop diversification (p=0.003 &=-0.048).The influence of land fragmentation on sugarcane productivity based on their socioeconomic status was spurious, where middle and low socio-economic status groups are badly affected in terms of low sugarcane production as compared to high socioeconomic status group when faced with the problem of land fragmentation.The study recommended that through the combine efforts of farming communities and NGOs under the supervision of government department, the issue of land fragmentation can be solved, where the efforts are made for land reintegration in order to make possible intensive agriculture through the use of modern complex technology and other inputs.