DOI: 10.11648/j.ijsge.20261503.12 ISSN: 2575-1549

Food Security Under Pressure: Land Use Patterns and Sustainability in the IGAD Region

Mansoor Ali
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The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region in the Horn of Africa faces persistent food insecurity despite significant agricultural potential, largely due to unsustainable land use patterns, rapid population growth, climate variability, and land degradation. This study examines the relationship among land-use dynamics, agricultural productivity, and food security across IGAD member states from 2010 to 2020. A mixed-methods approach is employed, combining quantitative analysis of secondary data from FAO, World Bank, UN agencies, and IGAD reports with qualitative assessment of policy and institutional frameworks. Findings reveal that although total cropland and cereal production have increased across most countries, per capita cropland availability has declined, indicating rising demographic pressure on limited land resources. Ethiopia and South Sudan show notable improvements in cereal yields and production efficiency, while Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea continue to experience persistent deficits due to climatic shocks, limited arable land, and weak agricultural systems. Land conversion from forests and rangelands to cropland has improved short-term food supply but raised concerns about long-term environmental sustainability, soil fertility loss, and ecosystem degradation. Overall, the region remains in a fragile state of near food balance, with significant intra-regional disparities. The study concludes that sustainable land management, strengthened land governance, climate-smart agriculture, and regional cooperation are essential to achieving long-term food security and sustainability in the IGAD region.

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