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

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