SPATIAL AND ECONOMIC LAND-USE OPTIMAZATION IN INTEGRATED AGRO-ESTATES: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM SPECISLISED AGRICULTURAL FARMS IN RIVERS, AKWA IBOM, DELTA AND EDO STATES

Abstract

The sustainable utilization of agricultural land has become increasingly crucial in the face of rapid population growth, land degradation, and the urgent need for food security in Nigeria. This study evaluates the spatial and economic optimization of land use within integrated agro-estates, using case studies from selected farms in Nasarawa, Niger, and Kwara States. Through a multidisciplinary lens rooted in Estate Surveying and Valuation, the research examines how professional valuation methods and spatial planning tools influence productivity, infrastructural alignment, and land investment efficiency. Primary and secondary data were collected through field surveys, interviews, geospatial mapping, and economic appraisal techniques. The findings reveal that spatial layout coherence, tenure security, and value-based land use decisions are critical to the success of integrated agro-estates. Additionally, the role of Estate Surveyors in site selection, zoning analysis, highest and best use (HBU) determination, and economic forecasting significantly enhances estate viability. The study proposes a framework for optimizing land resources through professional valuation, spatial analytics, and policy-supported investment models, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural transformation in Nigeria.