Farm size, land fragmentation and economic efficiency in southern Rwanda

Butare, where this study was conducted, exhibits one of the highest population densities in Rwanda. As a direct result of population growth, most peasants have small fields and land fragmentation is common. The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of land fragmentation on economic effici...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Agrekon 2004-06, Vol.43 (2), p.244-262
Main Authors: Bizimana, C. (Rwanda National Univ. (Rwanda). Economics Dept.), Nieuwoudt, W.L, Ferrer, S.R.D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AGRICULTURAL STRUCTURE
CRECIMIENTO DE LA POBLACIÓN
CROISSANCE DE LA POPULATION
ECONOMÍA DE LA PRODUCCIÓN
ESTRUCTURA AGRÍCOLA
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES
EXTENSIÓN
FARM SIZE
POPULATION GROWTH
PRODUCTION ECONOMICS
RWANDA
STRUCTURE AGRICOLE
TAILLE DE L'EXPLOITATION AGRICOLE
TAMAÑO DE LA FINCA
VULGARISATION
ÉCONOMIE DE PRODUCTION
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Summary:Butare, where this study was conducted, exhibits one of the highest population densities in Rwanda. As a direct result of population growth, most peasants have small fields and land fragmentation is common. The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of land fragmentation on economic efficiency. Regression analysis shows that area operated is primarily determined by the population-land ratio, non-agricultural employment opportunities, ownership certainty and adequate information through agricultural training. Results from a block-recursive regression analysis indicate that the level of net farm income per hectare, which indirectly reflects greater economic efficiency, is determined by the area operated, use of farm information, field extension staff visits, formal education of a farm operator, and the fragmentation of land holdings. Economies of size are evident in the data. The results obtained using ridge regression support the findings of two-stage least squares. Policies should be implemented to improve the functioning of land rental markets in order to reduce land fragmentation, improve rural education and access to relevant information; and strengthen extension facilities to individual farmers.
ISSN:0303-1853
2078-0400
DOI:10.1080/03031853.2004.9523648