Land Tenure Systems and Agricultural Productivity in Nigeria: a Case of Rice Production

This study examined land tenure systems and rice productivity in Nigeria. Primary data were used for the study. Data were collected with the aid of a well-structured questionnaire. A four-stage sampling technique was used to select a total sample size of three hundred and forty-nine (349) rice farmers based on the number of questionnaires correctly filled and returned from the selected sampled size. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, total factor productivity, and Stochastic production frontier model. The study revealed that large portion of the land (over 94%) used for rice production were acquired through inheritance mode of land acquisition and communal type of land tenure system widely practiced. The result of total factor productivity indicated that 62.18% of the rice farmers were at sub-optimal productivity level. The results of the stochastic production frontier function revealed that seed (P< 0.10), and fertilizer application (P<0.01) were the significant factors influencing technical efficiency of rice production in the study area. Based on the findings, the study recommend that current land use act and policy should be amended to prevent concurrent grabbing of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes in order to enhance availability and accessibility of land for agriculture.

The Implications of Land Tenure Systems on Socio-Economic Development in Kumbo Central Sub-Division, North West Region of Cameroon

This study explores the impact of land tenure systems on the socio-economic development of Kumbo Central Sub-Division. The incompatibility of the Statutory and Customary land tenure and land laws in Kumbo brings about conflict between the land laws and land users at large. Land tenure insecurity and lack of land certificates are the major reasons for the slow growth rate in the socio-economic development of Kumbo. This study seeks to assess the reasons for tenure insecurity and implications on the socio-economic development of Kumbo. Data necessary for the realization of this study were obtained through primary and secondary data collection techniques such as questionnaires, interviews, field observation, focus group discussions, snap shorts and the review of related documented materials. These techniques followed a stratified sampling on an age selective population that was liable to have access to land. The study revealed that land ownership and land use conflicts emanate from poor and incompatible land tenure systems in Kumbo. The study recommended that the problem of incompatibility between the two tenure systems can be resolved by harmonizing the two laws. Also, the Social Tenure Domain System was recommended to solve the problem of land tenure insecurity if well implemented by the Government of Cameroon. This model enhances land tenure security for all, especially the vulnerable groups. If all these recommendations are implemented effectively, socio-economic development in Kumbo will be greatly accelerated.

Land Tenure Systems and Agricultural Productivity in Gombe Nigeria

The purpose of this study is to examine the existing land tenure systems in Gombe state Nigeria with a view to determining its impact on agricultural productivity in the study area. The targeted population for the study comprised of 7,832 households in purposively selected agrarian settlements cutting across the 3 senatorial districts in Gombe state Nigeria. The population was stratified into three zones and two locations were selected from each zone. The sample size for the study comprised of 500 households in each of the study locations. Hence, 500 questionnaires were administered on the household heads of the 6 study locations making a total of 3,000 questionnaires (representing 38.3% of the targeted population). However only 2,223 (74.1%) questionnaires were correctly filled and returned for analysis. The random sampling technique was adopted in the questionnaire administration. Descriptive statistical tools such as frequency counts, averages, weighted mean and percentages were used in analyzing the data obtained. The Relative Importance Index (RII) was used to identify and rank the variables. Inferential statistical tool such as multiple regressions were also used in analyzing the relationship between the criterion or dependent variable and the predictors or independent variables. The study revealed that customary land tenure system is the predominant type of tenure system (60.1%) practiced in the study area. Similarly, agricultural productivity in the study area was shown to be impeded by land tenure insecurity (RII, 0.933963), political/bureaucratic bottlenecks in land rights acquisition for agricultural purposes (0.846154) and tenure rules such as stipulated in the Nigerian Land Use Act of 1978 (RII, 0.65596) among others. The study also showed a strong positive relationship of 0.809 between land tenure systems and agricultural productivity in the study area. The study concluded that for better agricultural productivity in the study area in particular and similar developing economies in general, farmers need to have secured land tenure as this encourages investments in the secured land which consequently improves agricultural productivity.

Addressing the Problems of Land Registration Processes in Complex Land Tenure Systems Using Computational Techniques: Evidence from Accra Ghana

Land registration processes have been described to be simplistic in simple land tenure environments where land rights are treasured and registered by the state on behalf of the people. Duplication of tasks, repeated preparation of land registration documents, and wrong definition of tasks affect the activities and processes of land registration characterising complex land tenure environments. Many qualitative land registration models such as the use of Unified Modified Language (UML) diagrams have been developed to show the frameworks of land registration processes in most parts of the world. However, most researches avoid the technical implementation of these models. This paper presents the quantitative approaches to addressing the problems of land registration processes in complex land tenure systems using computational techniques such as Process Maker and Java Script. The paper used case study approach to collect data and systems design method for the output. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the Lands Commission of Accra and its stakeholders. Process maker software was operationalised using GeoJSON parcel file. Results show that, the simplification of land registration processes is based on the rationale behind the change (Data error, improved capacity, service quality), and the semantics (process re-engineering) involved in the computation of the modelling processes. The outcome has the ability to simplify an otherwise complex tenure system by avoiding delays and therefore improving the land registration processes.