Current Status and Key Trends in Agricultural Land Holding and Distribution in Punjab, Pakistan: Implications for Food Security

Abstract

The economy of Pakistan is mainly dependent on agriculture which is mainly owned by small farm householders. The rapidly increasing population and stagnant agricultural growth coupled with other economic issues are threatening food security and livelihood of rural population in Pakistan. The main objective of the study was to appraise the change in the agrarian structure in Punjab province and to see the current status and key trends in land holing and distribution. It is done by reviewing of the overtime structural changes in land holdings using inter-census data of 1960-2010 t enabled the present analyses to depict a clear picture of the overtime changes that had come about in the agrarian structure of Punjab. The magnitude of shifts from one period to the other was calculated with the help of Lorenz ratio and Gini coefficient. The study showed disparities in ownership and distribution of land holdings in Punjab. The findings suggested a decrease in inequality in land distribution through effective land reform and distribution. This will help to increase farm income of small-scale and subsistence farming communities to cater for the threatening issues of food insecurity.