The Rise of Large Farms in Land Abundant Countries: Do They Have a Future?
Abstract
Resurgent interest in agriculture raises issues about agrarian structure and the balance between large and small farms that have thus far been addressed mainly from a smallholder angle. We identify economic and policy factors that contributed to episodes of large farm growth, their impact, and ways in which these may have changed recently. An analysis of recent land demand from large investors suggests that greater clarity in the definition of property rights, attention to employment effects and technical viability, and mechanisms to re-allocate land from unsuccessful ventures to more productive entrepreneurs will be critical to facilitate better developmental outcomes.
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Although compensation may be mandatory in most African countries, it is generally insufficient and untimely.
“Although the enhancement of payment can be mandatory in most of African countries, it is generally not enough and not timely.(88,89,90)”
From The era of sustainable agricultural development in Africa: Understanding the benefits and constraints (2018) · cites this paper as [90]
Interventions by Land Commissions, including compulsory land acquisition and nonpayment of compensation, have caused social unrest, displacement and landlessness in affected communities.
“Interventions by Land Commissions, such as the compulsory acquisition of land and nonpayment of compensation, has resulted in social unrest, displacement of villagers, and landlessness in affected communities.(90)”
From The era of sustainable agricultural development in Africa: Understanding the benefits and constraints (2018) · cites this paper as [90]
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Koh, L. P., & Wilcove, D. S. (2008) · Conservation Letters · doi:10.1111/j.1755-263x.2008.00011.x · Cited by 1,120 · see citing works
Cropland expansion changes deforestation dynamics in the southern Brazilian Amazon
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The number, size, and distribution of farms, smallholder farms, and family farms worldwide
Lowder, S. K., Skoet, J., & Raney, T. (2016) · World Development · doi:10.1016/j.worlddev.2015.10.041 · Cited by 2,012 · see citing works
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- Authors
- Deininger, K., & Byerlee, D.
- Affiliations
- World Bank (US)
- Venue
- World Development
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2012-04
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 701-714
- ISSN
- 0305-750X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3121303722
- Cited by
- 352
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 19 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 31 · 2021: 29 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 34 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 21 · 2012: 4
- FWCI
- 64.31
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- World Development (publishedVersion)
- RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › General Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agriculture, Land Use, Rural Development
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Soil Science › Land Rights and Reforms
- Social Sciences › Safety Research › Agricultural economics and policies
- Keywords
- large farms, agrarian structure, land demand, land investment, property rights, smallholder farmers, farm size, land reallocation, employment effects, agricultural policy
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