Linking Environmental Degradation and Socioeconomic Drivers to Agricultural Land Loss in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between environmental degradation and socioeconomic drivers of farmland conversion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan. Using primary survey data and logistic regression analysis, the study identifies the key determinants influencing agricultural land loss. Agricultural land loss has emerged as a critical challenge in developing regions, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Pakistan, where rapid urbanization, population growth, and environmental degradation are transforming traditional land-use systems. This study investigates the interlinkages between environmental degradation and socioeconomic drivers of farmland conversion and their implications for agricultural land loss. Using primary data collected from farmers across selected districts (Mardan, Charsadda, and Nowshera), and employing logistic regression analysis, the study identifies key determinants influencing land-use change. The findings reveal that social attitudes, government incentives, access to credit, and population pressure significantly drive farmland conversion, while environmental factors such as climate variability and land degradation exacerbate the decline in agricultural productivity. The study concludes that the interaction between environmental and socioeconomic forces poses a serious threat to sustainable agriculture and food security in KP. The findings reveal that environmental stressors such as climate variability and soil degradation, combined with socioeconomic pressures including urbanization, social attitudes, and access to credit, significantly contribute to farmland conversion. The study provides policy recommendations for sustainable land management and food security. As well as Policy interventions focusing on integrated land-use planning and environmental conservation are recommended.

Keywords: Environmental Degradation and Land Loss, Socioeconomic Drivers of Land Change, Linkages between Environmental & Socioeconomic Dynamics, KPK, Pakistan