Is this really a debate? Land and agriculture are both as important. And, of course, there is need for accountability, balance, and planning in both sectors. The question remains where do the risks lie? How do we make sure the balance of land use for agriculture and for urban planning both secure the future of development?
Land is the one natural resource that is limited in volume. Land is not growing, but decreasing in availability. Its two most important uses are for the growth of settlement areas and for agricultural use. Urbanization and food security are among the sectors that are on top of every national leadership’s agenda when it comes to public service. Urban planning and development strategies such as transport systems, affordable housing, electricity grids, water and sewage management, public service institutions like schools, hospitals among others are all designed and constructed to cater to the urgent needs brought about by urbanization and urban growth. On the other hand, the agricultural sector’s goal is to feed the people through produce harvested from the fields and or processed in factories and animals reared for human consumption.
Risks in the Urbanization v. Agriculture Debate
The biggest risk in the urbanization v. agriculture debate is in cases where land meant for agriculture has been hived off to create space for the construction of urban areas like towns and cities. A case in point is Kiambu county where in the past couple of decades, huge tracts of formerly coffee and tea farms have been sold off to real estate investors to make way for projects like Fourways Junction, Tatu City and other residentials and commercial communities.
On the contrary, we have witnessed many cases where squatters, internally displaced persons (IDPs), or in some cases investors, have been evicted from living in or developing land owned by private entities, by government and meant for agriculture, for afforestation, wildlife conservancy, or other programs. A good example was seen in 2011 when the government of Kenya launched a campaign to fence off the Aberdare Forest in order to protect the water catchment area from human interference like farming activities.
As Kenya’s population grows so does the rate of urbanization across the country. Youth, families, and other groups are migrating from rural areas to major towns and cities in such of opportunities. This causes urban areas resources to be stretched because of the growing demand for housing, food, water, transportation, and other basic services.
Cities are expanding at an unprecedented rate driven by the demand for affordable housing, quality education, better health services, proximity to government services, and the quest for economic empowerment. In Nairobi, 60% of the 5 million city residents’ population are reported to be living in informal settlements due to lack of decent, affordable housing options with the rate of people migrating is on average 4.0% annually.
And while urbanization has brought several benefits to Kenya’s economy and communities, at the same time it also poses significant risks due to the scarcity of land and resources for urban development and agricultural needs. The debate is on how land use planning, farm preservation methods, and sustainable urban development practices can assist to strike the balance in land use for urban growth and for agricultural use.
Urbanization and Land Use
Kenya’s urban population by 2019 was 31% of the total population and the growth rate has increased by an average of 4.0% annually since 2017. Urban growth has led to the expansion of major cities in Nairobi and Mombasa through the growth of urban sprawl and informal settlements. Because of the unavailability of land, residents have had to settle for housing in densely populated areas, low quality and unsafe housing units due to affordability. This is known as informal settlements. They have also had to settle in the outskirts of the city in undesignated public land that are outside the urban planning goals of the local or national government. These are known as urban sprawl and their rise pose a challenge to both the environmental and governmental resources.
This growth that has fueled the demand for land designated for agricultural use around major cities and is leading to concerns about food security and the sustainability of farming practices in the neighboring urban areas.
Agriculture vs. Urban Growth
We have already gathered that urban growth and the demand for land for housing and other facilities like schools, health centers, roads, factories, and other projects will affect agricultural land near the urban areas. The expansion will affect farming activities as it leads to the conversion of farmland into residential, commercial, and industrial zones. Urban sprawl is the type of urban growth that can negatively affect agricultural output and the availability of fertile land. This raises the stakes in the debate between agriculture and urban growth as it raises an urgency for careful consideration and strategic planning.
Balancing Urban and Rural Development
Another solution in the debate between urbanization v. agriculture and how to balance land usage while growing cities is about having a strategy that balances urban and rural planning and development programs to meet the needs of both residents of urban and rural areas and meet the needs of both urban growth and agricultural needs. One of the solutions is to keep the highest office in the government accountable for its role.
The State Department of Economic Planning which has the role of overseeing economic development can play the key role of balancing economic activities in the counties and cities that will create opportunities that improve local economies and slow down migration in the long run. This will involve implementing programs, policies, and strategies that promote sustainable urban development while designating and preserving agricultural land all over the country in partnership with the Agricultural department.
New economic approaches can encourage innovation, investment, and additional resources that lead to the development of satellite towns and peri-urban areas that could assist in reducing the strain of urbanization on major cities while supporting farming activities.
Land Use Planning
Another solution in striking the balance is effective land use planning, which is crucial for managing conflicts between stakeholders of urbanization and agriculture. Land use policies can help planners designate specific areas for both urban development and farm activities. Implementing zoning, urban boundaries, and land conservation policies are ways that can help manage land use more effectively and prevent urban sprawl or increased informal settlements.
Land Trusts
Balance of land use can be achieved when there are deliberate measures to preserve farming land for food security and wildlife conservation for the sake of supporting rural livelihoods and communities. In Kenya, there are initiatives such as Northern Rangelands Trust, which are community-based organizations that work to conserve land and help to protect valuable farmland from being converted into other uses. The setting apart of Trust land or land preservation are protected by an Act of Parliament and Section 111 of the Constitution of Kenya. Its main benefit is that it promotes sustainable farming practices that can boost the productivity of agricultural land and reduce the need for expansion into new land.
Sustainable Urban Development
Sustainable urban development is about creating urban areas that are eco-friendly, with economic prospects, and are socially inclusive. Applying sustainable strategies in urban development can positively impact land use through constructing high-rise housing units using eco-friendly building materials, prioritizing green spaces like tree-planting, walking lanes, parks and mini-forests, and using environmentally friendly public transport means such as electric buses as an option to reduce carbon emission in an area. When well-coordinated, and with good leadership and community participation, sustainable development can help preserve agricultural land and help reduce the rate of urbanization in different parts of the country.
Agriculture v. Real Estate Market
The conflicts between agriculture and real estate development have mainly been in boundary disputes and environmental sustainability. Farmers may face pressure to sell their land to developers leading to the loss of farming spaces, but not all farmers will cooperate with the decision of their counterparts. This can lead to uneven boundaries, lawsuits regarding sales agreements and other types of conflict. To manage these conflicts, public participation is key during the planning process. The government needs to be the intermediary between stakeholders to formulate policies that balance the interests of both sectors. The government can also offer incentives for initiatives and models that preserve small and medium scale farming activities in urban areas. Initiatives like kitchen gardens, greenhouses, chicken rearing, subsistence farming methods such as planting vegetables and fruits within a housing unit, selling farm produce to the neighborhood, promoting modern small-scale farming methods, can all help merge farming goals while investing in the real estate market.
Food Security Challenges
We agree that food security will be put at risk if there is no compromise between farming and agriculture and real estate developers in urban areas. The loss of previously used agricultural land to urban planners has increased the price of foodstuff that now has to be transported for long distances to the nearby market. A recent chat with a roast maize vendor revealed that at certain times of the year, he has to source his maize from a supplier in the city market who gets her bulk supplies from farms on the central district of Tanzania that are hundreds of kilometers away from the city. Real estate development will lead to the scarcity of arable land as the ability to produce sufficient food for the growing population will be compromised. Food security can be addressed by implement strategies that increase agricultural productivity, such as climate-smart agriculture, improved irrigation methods, use of hybrid seeds and high-quality fertilizers, and for the government to collaborate with local farming associations to conduct capacity building events, and invest in research and development.
Peri-urban farming practices that occur on the outskirts of urban areas can support food security and providing fresh produce to city residents. By promoting peri-urban farming, cities can reduce their dependence on distant food sources and support local farmers. Additionally, integrating green spaces and urban gardens into city planning can enhance the sustainability of urban environments.
Urban Expansion Impact on Farming
Urban expansion does impact farming activities. Fertile land is lost, land prices go up, and communities are disrupted with noise, water, and air pollution. There needs to be a consideration of the needs of both urban and rural communities when asking of the land they have depended on for generations. The government can intervene in the debate by supporting farmers through investing in infrastructure and promoting sustainable land trust practices when balancing urban growth and agricultural needs in the country. Real estate investors can also design spaces that will encourage more investment in farming practices. Instead of a tug-of-war, they can see it as a partnership that is expected to boost the economy of all stakeholders.
