Women Farmers’ Access and Use of Land For Agriculture in Selected Communities of Anambra State, Nigeria

I A Enwelu ,U.L Morah,C I Ezeano,M U Dimelu

doi:10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n26p37

Abstract

The study assessed women farmers’ access and use of land for agriculture in Anambra State, Nigeria. A total of 80 women farmers were randomly selected for the study. Data were collected and analyzed using mean score, standard deviation and presented in percentage. The findings revealed that women perceived family inheritance (97.5%) and communal inheritance (92.5%) as land ownership structures existing in the communities. In case of women land ownership pattern, 98.8% of women own land in the name of their husbands. Women had high access to farm land for agricultural purposes such as individual land (x =2.90), family land ( x =2.70) and communal land ( x =2.28). But the conditions for women access to such farm land included: involvement of husband (98.8%) and through male relative (86.2%). Lands were used by women for backyard farming (98.8%), poultry house (97.5%) and vegetable production (92.5%). Women farmers’ constraints to access and use of and for agricultural purposes were: cultural barriers ( =2.94), present land ownership structure ( =2.89) and lack of collateral ( x =2.52). Strategies to improve access and use of land by women included: promotion of women’s participation in land matters ( x =2.78) and economic empowerment of women ( x =2.76). The study recommends that local government councils should grant land use rights to women to improve their access and use of land for agricultural purposes. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n26p37

Highlights

The basis of agricultural production and the most important production factor for farmers is land
According to Nwadiaro and Okoroafor (2011), a woman is expected to provide a letter of authorization from her husband before she can be allowed to purchase a piece of land in most traditional societies, and the same written permission is required from her before she can obtain a loan from development banks
The results revealed that women had high access to purchased land ( x =2.90)family land ( x =2.70)communal land ( x = 2.28), gift land ( x =2.27) and land lease ( x =2.19) but low access to land under custody ( x =1.82)

Summary

Introduction

The basis of agricultural production and the most important production factor for farmers is land. It has essential role to play in increasing as well as sustaining agricultural productivity. It is a very important instrument in any economic manipulation which makes it important for speculations. The idea of women as productive partners in agriculture and various roles played by women as farmers, farmwives and agricultural professionals are not in doubt. Recounting the stories of successful women in these roles in many cultures, women are the farmers on whom families and communities depend for food production. They engage in farm land activities as a means of sustaining the family.

Methods

Results

Conclusion