Assessment of Land Tenure System Practiced among Rural Farming Households in Nigeria


Olajumoke Alabi, Federal University Oye Ekiti

Despite the significant role of land tenure systems in shaping agricultural practices and rural livelihoods in Nigeria, there exists a dearth of comprehensive gender analysis within these systems. Land serves as a vital resource for rural farmers giving them a source of income, food, and a sense of social identity. The study assessed land tenure systems practiced among rural farming households in Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 320 rural households for this study. 50% of states in south western Nigeria were randomly selected. Primary data on respondent’s socio economics characteristics, different land tenure systems practiced, specific challenges in attaining agricultural land and gender based impacts of land tenure security on household food consumption patterns were obtained using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, mean and Chi-square. Result showed that majority (81.3%) of the respondents were married with a mean households size of 5 persons, income of N150,000.00 and 15years of farming experiences respectively. Different land tenure systems were by inheritance (49.2%), rent (13.3%), and leasehold (21.1%) while the least is customary court (0.8%). The specific challenges in attaining agricultural land were conflict over land ( x =4.2 ) ranking 1st, increase in number of fraudulent land selling ( x =4.1) was ranked 2nd, limited access to credit and finance ( x =4.0)  was ranked 3rd, while the least was distance from home ( x =3.5). Chi square result showed that the impact of land tenure security on household food consumption patterns were found among those that have a secured land tenure and those that had no secured land tenure at p< 0.05. The studys chi-square analysis revealed a significant association between land tenure security and household food consumption patterns at p< 0.05 emphasizing the critical role of secure land tenure in ensuring food security and stability within rural households. The study concludes that these challenges could potentially hinder agricultural productivity and rural development if not addressed effectively and recommends that addressing gender-specific barriers in accessing agricultural land, resolving conflicts, and enhancing financial inclusion for women in rural areas is crucial for sustainable agricultural development. Also, strengthening land tenure security through legal frameworks and community-based initiatives may also be imperative to promoting agricultural productivity and improving household food consumption patterns.

Non-presenting authors: Oluwayemisi Agbaje, Federal University Oye Ekiti; Oluranti Adewumi, Federal University Oye Ekiti

This paper will be presented at the following session: