Tenure Security among Women Farmers: Implications for Agricultural Productivity and Farm Income in Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study compared the level of farm efficiency and farm income among tenure secured and non- secured women farmers in the study area. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from 84 women farmers and the data were analysed with descriptive statistics, stochastic frontier (SFA) and farm budget analyses. Results showed that the observed differences between the socioeconomic characteristics (farm size cultivated, years of schooling, and household size) of the two categories of women farmers were statistically significant at 5% level. Results further revealed that on the average, the tenure secure women farmers were more efficient (TE=81.9%) than their counterpart with non-secured tenure (TE=37.3%). Farm budget analysis also showed that women with secured land tenure generated higher income (GMNI= N4.65) than women with non-secured land tenure (GMNI= N0.75).We therefore conclude that a positive relationship exist between tenure security, level of farm efficiency and total farm income among women farmers in the study area. Keywords: Agricultural productivity, farm income, tenure security, and women farmers.