E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 6 (2) pp. 042-049, August 2016; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18685/EJARD(6)2_EJARD-16-012

Perceived effects of insecure land rights on rural womenÎ„s roles in household food security in Okigwe agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria

CHIKAIRE¹^*, Orusha, JO², Tim-Ashama A², Nwarieji FE², Amanze PC²
¹ Department of agricultural extension, school of agriculture and agricultural technology (saat), federal university of technology, owerri (FUTO) Imo State Nigeria
²Dept. of Agricultural Science Education, Alvan Ikoku College of Education Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
^*Corresponding Author E-mail: futo.edu.ng@gmail.com
Accepted 30 June 2016

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of insecure land right on rural women roles in household food security in Okigwe Agricultural zone of Imo state, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to; describe the socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents, identify the various tenure right systems prevailing in the area, describe rural womenÎ„s role in household food security and determine perceived effects of insecure land right on rural womenÎ„s role in household food security. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 130 respondents from the list of women farmers obtained from Extension Agents in the zone. The data collected with questionnaire were analyzed using percentages, frequency distribution tables and mean scores. Result showed that the mean age of the respondents was 51; respondents are married with over seventy five percent (75%) educated, mean household size of 8 persons and small farm size with a mean of 0.7ha. Majority of the respondents were into farming (crop and animal production) and non-farming activities. The existing land tenure systems majorly in the area were inheritance and communal. Most respondents indicated acquiring land from husband. The respondents right to land was indicated majorly to include use right. Insecure right to land greatly affect agricultural productivity, employment opportunities, long-term agricultural investments, income generation, household food supply, access to credit facilities, daily food intake and womenÎ„s use of land. The effects of land insecurity on the rural womenÎ„s roles were perceived to be high. Therefore, it was recommended that there is need to encourage women farmers who greatly partake in agricultural activities by enacting favourable policies to secure their right to land, education campaigns to increase their knowledge-base in farming and providing support services such as credit and insurance schemes.

Keywords: Land, land right, food security, women, household, Imo State

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