Land Resource Economics

Concepts of land and land resource

Land refers to the solid surface of the Earth. It includes everything that is naturally occurring on
and beneath the surface, such as soil, minerals, water, and natural vegetation. It is a foundational
element for human existence, providing space for living, agriculture, industry, and recreation.
Land consists of 4 components mainly,

 Water (25%)
 Air (25%)
 Organic Matter (5% including humus, peat etc.)
 Inorganic Matter (45% including Ca, K, P, N, Mg, Fe, B, Ba etc.)

Land Resources are the natural components found within the land that can be used to support
human activities and ecosystems. These include:

1. Soil: Essential for agriculture and plant growth.

2. Minerals: Used for construction, manufacturing, and energy production.
3. Forests: Provide timber, habitat for wildlife, and play a crucial role in carbon
sequestration.
4. Water Bodies: Include rivers, lakes, and underground aquifers essential for drinking,
irrigation, and industrial use.
5. Biodiversity: The variety of plant and animal life that contributes to ecosystem stability
and resilience.

Land resources are critical for economic development, environmental sustainability, and human
well-being. Proper management and conservation of these resources are essential to ensure their
availability for future generations.

Factors affecting supply of land resource for economic use

Several factors affect the supply of land resources for economic use:

1. Natural Factors:
o Topography: The physical characteristics of the land, such as mountains, valleys,
and plains, influence its usability for agriculture, construction, and other activities.
o Climate: Weather patterns and climate conditions can affect the productivity and
sustainability of land for farming and other uses.
o Soil Quality: Fertile soil is essential for agriculture. Degraded or contaminated
soil reduces land usability.
2. Legal and Regulatory Factors:
o Land Use Policies: Government regulations and zoning laws determine how land
can be used, influencing the availability of land for agriculture, industry,
residential, or commercial purposes.
 o Property Rights: Clear and enforceable property rights are crucial for efficient
land use and investment. Disputes or unclear titles can limit land availability.
o Environmental Regulations: Laws protecting natural habitats and limiting
pollution can restrict certain types of land use to preserve environmental quality.
3. Economic Factors:
o Land Prices: The cost of land affects its availability for various uses. High land
prices can limit access for agricultural or affordable housing purposes.
o Investment in Infrastructure: Development of roads, utilities, and other
infrastructure can make previously inaccessible land available for economic
activities.
o Market Demand: Demand for land in urban areas for housing and commercial
development can reduce the availability of land for agriculture or conservation.
4. Technological Factors:
o Agricultural Technology: Advances in farming techniques can improve the
productivity of existing agricultural land, reducing the need for expansion into
new areas.
o Construction Technology: Innovations in building techniques can make it
feasible to develop land that was previously unsuitable due to physical
constraints.
5. Social and Cultural Factors:
o Population Growth: Increasing population drives demand for housing,
infrastructure, and food production, affecting land use patterns.
o Cultural Practices: Traditional land use practices and cultural beliefs can
influence how land is utilized and preserved.
6. Environmental Factors:
o Climate Change: Changes in climate can alter the suitability of land for different
economic uses, impacting agriculture, forestry, and other sectors.
o Natural Disasters: Events like floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes can degrade
land quality and reduce its availability for economic activities.

Effective management of these factors is essential for optimizing the use of land resources while
ensuring sustainability and equity.

Population and Land Resource

Population and land resources are interrelated. Relationship Between population and land
resources:

 Demand for Land: As the population grows, the need for land for housing, agriculture, and
infrastructure increases, leading to land scarcity and competition.

 Urbanization: Expanding urban areas often encroach on agricultural and natural lands,
reducing available land for food production and conservation.

 Resource Depletion: Higher population density accelerates the depletion of land resources,
such as soil nutrients and water, through intensified agricultural and industrial activities.
 Environmental Degradation: Increased land use for human activities leads to deforestation,
habitat loss, and soil erosion, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem health.

 Sustainable Development: Balancing population growth with sustainable land management

practices is essential to ensure long-term food security, environmental conservation, and quality
of life.

 Climate Impact: Population pressures on land resources contribute to climate change through
deforestation and increased carbon emissions, while sustainable land use can help mitigate these
effects.

Proportionality

Proportionality refers to the relationship between two quantities where their ratio remains
constant. In simpler terms, it means that as one quantity changes, the other changes at a
consistent rate relative to the first.

Application of Proportionality to Land Resources

1. Urban Planning: Ensures balanced development by proportionally allocating land for

residential, commercial, and recreational areas.
2. Agricultural Management: Uses proportionality to divide land based on factors like soil
fertility and water availability, optimizing crop production and sustainability.
3. Conservation: Helps proportionally designate land for natural reserves and wildlife
habitats, balancing ecological needs with human development.
4. Infrastructure Development: Applies proportionality to ensure adequate land is set
aside for roads, utilities, and public services, supporting efficient urban growth.
5. Disaster Management: Uses proportional land use planning to allocate areas for flood
zones, firebreaks, and other disaster mitigation measures, enhancing community
resilience.
6. Social Equity: Proportional allocation of land resources ensures fair access for different
community needs, promoting social justice and equitable development.

Example of Proportionality in Terms of Land Resources

Urban Green Spaces:

Imagine a city planning to develop a new residential area. The city planners decide that for every
10 acres of residential land, there must be 1 acre of green space (parks, gardens, etc.). This
creates a proportional relationship where:

 If the residential area is 10 acres, there will be 1 acre of green space.

 If the residential area expands to 20 acres, there will be 2 acres of green space.
 If the residential area further expands to 30 acres, there will be 3 acres of green space.
This proportional allocation ensures that as the city grows, the amount of green space increases
at a consistent rate relative to the residential development. This maintains a balance between
built environments and natural areas, promoting a healthy, sustainable living environment.

Land Use Intensity

Land use intensity refers to the degree of human activity, development, or utilization of land in a
given area. It's a way of measuring the impact humans have on the land. Areas with high land use
intensity are heavily modified by people, while areas with low land use intensity are more
natural.

Here are some factors that can be used to measure land use intensity:

 Population density: Areas with more people tend to have higher land use intensity.This is
because more people require more resources, which leads to more development and
modification of the land.
 Building density: Areas with more buildings, such as cities and towns, have higher land
use intensity than rural areas with fewer buildings.
 Infrastructure: The presence of infrastructure, such as roads, railways, and power lines, is
an indicator of high land use intensity.
 Land cover: The type of land cover in an area can also be used to measure land use
intensity. For example, areas with a lot of forest or grassland have lower land use
intensity than areas with a lot of cropland or urban development.
 Economic activity: The type and intensity of economic activity in an area can also be
used to measure land use intensity. For example, areas with a lot of heavy industry or
mining tend to have higher land use intensity than areas with a lot of agriculture or
tourism.

Land use intensity can have a number of impacts on the environment. For example, high land use
intensity can lead to soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat loss. It can also contribute to
climate change by releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

Economic Return of Land Resources, Land Development Costs, and

Conservation

1. Economic Return of Land Resources:

o Agricultural Yield: The economic return from land used for agriculture is
determined by crop yields, market prices, and production costs.
o Real Estate: Land used for residential, commercial, or industrial purposes
generates economic returns through property values, rental income, and business
operations.
o Natural Resources: Land with natural resources like minerals, timber, or
renewable energy sources can provide economic benefits through extraction or
sustainable harvesting.
 2. Land Development Costs:
o Infrastructure: Costs associated with building roads, utilities (water, electricity),
and sewage systems necessary for urban development.
o Permitting and Planning: Expenses related to obtaining permits, conducting
environmental assessments, and complying with zoning regulations.
o Construction: Costs of constructing buildings, landscaping, and other
improvements on the land.
3. Conservation of Land Resources:
o Ecological Value: Conservation preserves biodiversity, ecosystem services (such
as water purification and climate regulation), and habitats for wildlife, which have
intrinsic and ecological value.
o Recreation: Protected areas and green spaces provide recreational opportunities
such as hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, contributing to quality of life.
o Long-term Benefits: Conservation can prevent soil erosion, maintain water
quality, and mitigate climate change impacts, offering long-term economic and
environmental benefits.

Balancing economic returns with land development costs and conservation efforts is crucial for
sustainable land management. Effective planning and policy measures aim to optimize economic
opportunities while safeguarding natural resources and ecosystem integrity for future
generations.

Land Tenancy and Leasing Arrangement

Land tenancy and leasing arrangements are two ways to establish temporary rights to use land
owned by someone else. Here's a breakdown of each:

Land Tenure:

 This is the broader concept that defines the overall system of how land is held.
 It outlines the relationship between the landowner and the person who uses the land.
 Land tenure can be formal, documented through legal agreements, or informal, based on
customary practices.

Leasing Arrangement:

 This is a specific type of land tenure, formalized in a written contract called a lease
agreement.
 The lease grants the lessee (tenant) the right to use the land for a specified period in
exchange for rent or other consideration.
 Leases can be for various durations, from short-term for grazing cattle to long-term for
building development.

Tenure vs Leasing
Overall system for holding Specific agreement for using
land rights land
 Can be formal or informal
Varies depending on the
system
Defines the overall rights and
responsibilities of landowner
and user
Formalized by a written lease
agreement
Defined in the lease
agreement (short-term or
long-term)
Specifies permitted uses of
the land

Common Types of Leases:

Agricultural Leases: Used for farming, grazing livestock, or growing crops. Rent can be in the
form of a share of the harvest (sharecropping) or a fixed cash amount.

Commercial Leases: Used for businesses to operate on the land, such as retail stores or office
buildings.

Residential Leases: Used for housing purposes, with tenants paying rent to live on the property.

Important Considerations in Leases:

Term of the Lease: How long the lease will last.

Rent: The amount of money the tenant pays the landlord.

Permitted Uses: What the tenant is allowed to do on the land.

Maintenance Responsibilities: Who is responsible for maintaining the property.

Termination Clauses: How the lease can be ended early.

Leases are important for both landowners and tenants, as they clarify rights and responsibilities
for using the land. It's always recommended to have a lawyer review a lease agreement before
signing.

Land Reform and Land Use Planning in Bangladesh

Land Reform: In Bangladesh, land reform initiatives aim to address land distribution
inequalities, enhance agricultural productivity, and promote social justice. Key aspects include:

 Redistribution: Government efforts to redistribute land to landless farmers or

marginalized groups to improve their livelihoods.
 Tenure Security: Enhancing land tenure systems to ensure secure land rights for farmers
and vulnerable communities.
 Modernization: Promoting efficient land use practices, including mechanization and
improved agricultural techniques.
  Legal Framework: Strengthening land laws and regulations to protect land rights and
prevent land grabbing.

Land Use Planning: Effective land use planning in Bangladesh focuses on sustainable
development, urban growth management, and environmental conservation:

 Urban Planning: Developing master plans for cities to manage population growth,
infrastructure development, and land use zoning.
 Rural Development: Integrating agriculture, industry, and community needs into
regional development plans.
 Environmental Conservation: Preserving natural resources, wetlands, and biodiversity
through protected areas and sustainable land management practices.
 Disaster Management: Incorporating risk mitigation strategies into land use planning to
address natural disasters like floods and cyclones.

Overall, land reform and land use planning in Bangladesh are critical for promoting equitable
development, reducing poverty, ensuring food security, and safeguarding the environment amidst
rapid urbanization and climate challenges.