ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the land tenure, tenure security and farm efficiency among arable crop farmers in Imo state of Nigeria. Multi-stage, purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting 80 respondents used for the study which involved 46 owner occupier farmers and 34 tenant farmers. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaire administered to the respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages mean, Z-test, multiple regression analysis and translog stochastic production and profit functions. The results showed that the mean ages of the owner occupier and tenant farmers were 43.46years and 41.79years respectively. Both groups were dominated by male farmers who were married. Majority in the two groups have farming as their primary occupation. About 39 percent and 35 percent of the owner occupier and tenant farmers cultivated 1.73 and 2.07 hectares of land with a mean farming experience of about 17.98 and 18.06 years respectively. The major factors influencing land tenure/tenure security of farmers include age (76.25%), household size (70.0%), marital status (70%), tribe (67.5), position in the family (67.5%) sex (63.75%) and income. The significant determinants of farm investment of the farmers were tenancy status, education, farming experience, farm size, credit and income which were all positively related to the amount of farm investment. The estimated level of technical efficiency of the owner occupier farmers ranged from 13 percent to 100 percent while that of the tenant farmers ranged from 9 percent to 100 percent respectivel7. The mean technical efficiency for both groups of farmers was 61 percent and 67 percent respectively. The significant determinants of technical efficiency of the owner occupier farmers were education, farming experience, extension contact and age. Th significant determinants of technical efficiency for the tenant farmers were household sie, education and farming experience. The estimated level of economic efficiency for the two groups ranged from 6.3percent to 100 percent and from 7 percent to 100 percent respectively. The mean economic efficiency for the both groups of farmers was 57.1 percent and 73.5 percent respectively. The significant determinants of economic efficiency of the owner occupier farmers were education, farming experience, member of association, credit, sex, age, while that of the tenant farmers were household size, education, extension contact, farm size, sex and age. The estimated level of allocative efficiency for the two groups of farmers ranged from 4.52 percent to 100 percent and from 9.95 percent to 100 percent respectively. The mean allocative efficiency for both groups were 53.89 percent and 79.78 percent respectively. The significant determinants of allocative efficiency of the owner occupier farmers were education, farming experience, credit, sex age. While the significant determinants of allocative efficiency for the tenant farmers were household size, education, extension contact, farm size, sex and age. The major constraints militating against land acquisition include poverty (78.75%), lack of fund (73.75%), lack of male child (70.0%), and Childlessness (63.75%). Therefore, the study recommends that policies that will grant farmers increased access to land to enhance farm investment and efficiency should be formulated and implemented.