Agriculture and Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Agrarian Change in Libya

Agriculture and Sustainable
Development
A case study of Agrarian change in
Libya
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Table of Contents
Chapter one......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
1.1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................3
1.2. Background of study.........................................................................................................3
2. Literature review:.........................................................................................................................6
2.1 Importance of Agricultural Development in Libya...........................................................6
2.2. Agricultural development.................................................................................................7
2.3 Agriculture and economic indicators................................................................................9
2.4 Agricultural policies in developing and oil-rich developing countries...........................11
3.1. Research aim...................................................................................................................12
3.2. Research objectives.........................................................................................................12
3.3. Research questions..........................................................................................................12
4. Research methodology........................................................................................................13
5. Significance and relevance of the research study...............................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................17
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Chapter one
Introduction
Introduction
In this chapter it will be described about the basic theme of research that is sustainable
agricultural development. Along with that, there are many other elements which is also being
described in this chapter that is research background, the problem statement, the research aim,
the objectives, the research questions, scope, relevance and importance. In addition,
methodology introduction and structure of thesis is also being explained in the chapter.
Background of study
As said by Agila, Lagili and Gidado (2019), that in Libya the agricultural economy exist
in earlier times. However, oil and gas economy was formed after discovery of oil fields in around
1950’s. The climate of country was warm which was suitable for doing farming and agriculture.
Moreover, as per history the cattle and crops were some main economic activities which resulted
in shaping culture and economy. Besides, as stated by Al-Bukhari, Hallett and Brewer (2018),
in Roman times, Tripolitania was city which produced and also export olive oil. Also, there was
exchange of ivory and animals in that city. Furthermore, Cyrenaica was also a town in Libya that
manufacture trading wines, herbs and horses. During that times, barbers farmer were main
population living in that time. Thus, there are many evidence which state that Libya was
agricultural economy before they produced oil. This can be said that after finding of oil fields in
Libya there was a shift in economy. The focus was on producing oil rather than on other
economic activity.
It has been analysed that since 1940’s there is rise in production of oil. So, on contrary
there is decrease in agricultural activities and its contribution in GDP. It is found that in 1958 the
agriculture contribution in GDP was 26% which was 9% in 1952. There were certain policies
formed by government which focus on increase productive land use. It include policies such as
agricultural wage and changes affecting absentee landlords. The development plans in 1980’s
included developing sources of water and aquifers from other nations. For this loan was provided
by Libyan agricultural bank. Thus, it led to continuous participation in agricultural activities by
people of country. It has been stated that even government provided resources to agriculture and
policies being formed the target set in hat was not attained. In view of Alghariani, Ekhmaj and
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Elaalem (2020), there were several issues which act as barrier in attaining of target. For
instance- land availability for oil, corruption, poor performance of public sector, etc. It is obvious
that Libya’s mineral wealth has wider inferences for affecting the implementation of agricultural
policies.
It has been found that the structure of Libyan agricultural sector with African countries is
same. But there are some constraints for doing agricultural activities in Libya in context of
desertification, soil less fertile, limited arable land, etc. Along with it, the interfering of sea water
into fresh and ground water is also affecting soil with salt. It is evaluated that Libya is facing a
lot of issues related to soil and water which are barriers in agricultural activities (Alshalwy,
Ighneiwa and Moftah 2020). But it is estimated that around 50% of land is arable that is around
2% of total land area of nation that is 34,700 km2. Alongside, 95% of area is desert, 1% is forest
and 4% is grassland. Moreover, there are many important agricultural zones in Libya such as
Kufrah, Jifara plain, Jabal Nafusah, Jabal al Akhdar and the southern desert mountains. These
involve around 335, 000 hectares and forest and land cover 547, 000 hectares. The pasture and
rangeland comprise of total 13, 300, 000 hectares.
In a report AYOUZ, (2018), it is said that half of crop is grown in area of Jabal al
Ahkdar agricultural zone. The rest grows in other zones. Also, it is found that there are total 163,
700 agricultural farms in Libya and in them 90% are small than 20 hectare. The 2- 100 hectare
are 9% and more than 100 hectare is 1% respectively. The farms which are more than 100
hectare is owned by Libyan government. However, in order to supply adequate water to crops
the popular practice of irrigation was used. Thus, it is found that around 470, 000 hectare land is
equipped with irrigation facility in which groundwater is being used for irrigation. Apart from it,
another practice that is used in nation is use of greenhouses. This can be found that greenhouse
cultivation has increased from 1000 hectare in 1991 to 2500 hectare in 2009. Thus, the
greenhouses are owned both by private and government. Here, most of operations are done in
part of Jabal al Akhdar for the growth of vegetable crops such as potatoes, cucumbers and
tomatoes.
Furthermore, with arable farming, fishing and livestock also constitute in Libyan
agriculture sector. In this the main products are beef and small ruminants that is meat, milk,
chicken, eggs, etc. The local demand of Libya is fulfilled with help of livestock farming. But
there are some issues faced in it such as lack of feed and fodder, grazing area, etc. Also, it is
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