The location of the country in relation to African and overseas markets is a key variant. In southern Africa, the influence of the powerful neighbouring economy of the Republic of South Africa is critical. The nature of population pressure on agricultural resources varies considerably. Such pressure is determined not only by population numbers but also by the ability of land resources to sustain intensive production. In semi-arid countries, for instance, even relatively small populations and growth rates can start to cause pressure upon and degradation of resources, especially where landextensive production systems have traditionally been employed.
Some countries depend upon their agricultural sectors more heavily than others in the region.
The economic development of countries like Uganda, Malawi, and Tanzania depends largely upon agriculture and the various internal and external factors which influence it. The varying importance of agriculture naturally influences the design of agricultural development and land policies. The political objectives of the various independent governments have differed widely. This has had a profound influence on land policy, since the latter concerns one of the most fundamental rights whose distribution contrasting political dispositions seek to control. The various trends in the land policies of the countries of eastern and southern Africa are thus determined by the interplay of a wide range of factors whose significance and impact differ considerably, despite certain common experiences.