Drivers Of Farmland Conversion Into Non-Agricultural Land: Farmers’ Perspectives From Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Land conversion to non-agriculture uses is a worldwide increasing issue, but especially in developing nations, it poses a threat to food production and rural livelihoods. In Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, swift urbanization and population growth have increased land loss at a fast pace, evoking vital concerns regarding food security and sustainable land management.

Objective: This research examines the area, reasons, and impacts of farmland conversion in KPK (2004–2024), with special emphasis on its effects on agriculture and food security.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey of 356 farm households was taken from six villages in Mardan, Charsadda, and Nowshera districts that were randomly selected by simple random sampling. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data and SPSS -25 was used to analyze them. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression were used to determine drivers of land conversion keeping p<0.05 as significant

Results: A total of 356 respondents participated, with a mean age of 45.5 years. Education levels were generally low, most respondents belonged to extended or joint families with large household sizes, and over 80% reported only 1–2 earning members, indicating high dependency and limited capacity for farm investment. The majority owned small to medium landholdings (average 11 acres), yet rising land values, insecure tenure, restricted market access, and limited non-farm employment created strong pressures for land conversion. Nearly all farmers (96.6%) reported farmland loss over the past two decades, primarily to residential development (84.3%), which severely disrupted farming activities (62.9%). Urbanization (33.1%), infrastructure expansion (36%), economic incentives (30.9%), population growth (70.8%), and high land prices were identified as key drivers, with economic motives considered significant by most respondents (79.2%). Logistic Regression analysis revealed that farmland conversion was primarily driven by social attitudes, government incentives, social factors, and access to credit, while real estate showed a negative influence.

Conclusion: Farmland conversion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is primarily driven by urbanization, infrastructure growth, and economic pressures, with severe impacts on farming sustainability and rural livelihoods. Integrated land-use policies are urgently needed to protect fertile land while balancing development demands.