Abstract
The study was conducted to examine the effects of property rights and other factors on the outputs of maize, yam and cassava in three zones of Osun State in Nigeria. This study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 105 farmers involving growers of maize, yam and cassava in the study area. Data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and a multiple linear regression model. The results of budgetary analysis showed that variable cost was highest in yam production. The average revenues per hectare for maize, yam and cassava were (N is Nigerian currency equivalent to about $0.0067) N104, 487.50, N583, 846.20 and N438, 208.50, respectively. However, the average net incomes were N19, 908.40, N432, 079.00 and N96, 543.90 for maize, yam and cassava, respectively. Based on the rates of returns, N1 invested in each of maize, yam and cassava production yielded N1.2, N3.4 and N3.1, respectively implying that yam was the most profitable crop in the study area. The result of the multiple regression model revealed that farm size significantly affect the outputs of the three crops. Land rights type (having either use right/use and transfer right) and security of land defined by duration of land use affected maize output while duration and ownership type affected yam output, whereas, duration only affect cassava output. There is therefore the need to review the land distribution and administration policies based on the identified significant factors affecting each crops. Key words: Nigeria, Osun State, crops, maize, yam, cassava, land rights.
Highlights
Land is probably the most important factor of production
The major crops grown in the state are cassava, maize, vegetables, cocoa, oil palm, tomatoes etc
The analysis revealed that 75.2% of the respondents were male while 24.8 were female. This implies that farming in the study area were male dominant
Summary
Land is probably the most important factor of production. The unique feature of land is its fixed nature and this has generated a lot of policies administration in its use rights and transfer. Secured property rights give sufficient incentives to the farmers to increase their efficiencies in terms of productivity and ensure environmental sustainability. It is natural that without secured property rights, farmers do not feel emotional attachment to the land they cultivate, do not invest in land development and will not use inputs efficiently (Tenaw et al, 2009). There is broad agreement in the literature that secure individual land rights will increase incentives to undertake productivity enhancing land related investments. More secure property rights could affect productivity by improving household's security of tenure and their ability and readiness to make investments; providing better access to credit; and reducing the transaction costs associated with land transfers (Tenaw et al, 2009). More secure property rights could affect productivity by improving household's security of tenure and their ability and readiness to make investments; providing better access to credit; and reducing the transaction costs associated with land transfers (Tenaw et al, 2009). Besley (1995) revealed that having more secure tenure to a plot increased the probability that individuals would plant trees, and undertake a wide range of other investments such as drainage, irrigation, mulching, etc. that would enhance better yield
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