Determinants of Land Access and Utilization for Agricultural Activities among Farming Households in Surulere Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Land is the most important asset necessary for agriculture and factor of production for households in Nigeria. 85% of rural residents in the country depend on agriculture for their livelihood. The present study therefore analyse the determinants of land access and utilization for agricultural activities among farming households in Surulere Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria Methods: Population under the present study comprises of all peasant farmers in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State. The sampling procedure employed was multistage random sampling technique leading to the selection of 90 farmers. Data were obtained through the use of structured questionnaire while the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tool such as logistic regression model. Results: Majority (85.6%) of the respondents w er e m ale, had a mean age of 43 years, were married (74.4%) and have an average household size of 8 members. Most (86.7%) of the respondents engaged primarily in farming with an average experience of 19 years and cultivated an average farm size of 2.4ha. Family inheritance (61.1%) was the major mode of land access. Majority (63.3%) of the respondents used their land for agricultural purposes alone. The average land size was between 1.80-10.50ha with an average distance of 1.11km-5.0km from homestead. Result of probit regression model showed that income level (Z = 2.71) and farming experience (Z = 1.80) were significantly related to land access. Also, household size (Z = 2.39), farm right (Z = 2.10) and scale of production (Z= 4.06) were significantly related to land utilization Conclusion: Income level and farming experience influenced land access for agricultural activities while household size, farm land right and scale of production are determinants of land utilization