Gender Analysis of Land Ownership Structures and Agricultural Production in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study made a gender analysis of land ownership structures and agricultural production in Imo State, Nigeria. Multiple stage sampling technique was used in randomly selecting 324 respondents for the study. Data obtained through structured interview was analyzed with percentages while agricultural productivity was measured in Kilogram (kg). Results reveal that females with (78%) average of the three gender categories considered were more involved in agriculture than their male counterparts (57%). Further, land inheritance (75%) is the most common ownership structure among males while females (67%) purchased land used in agricultural production. 74% of males had farm size of 4 hectares and above as against (16%) of females.  Agricultural productivity analysis revealed that females had higher level of production output than males. The study concluded that women are more involved in agriculture, land inheritance favoured males than females, males had more hectares of land while females had overall higher productivity in the crops considered from 2008 – 2011. The study recommended that governments should revisit the land tenure and acquisition structures in the country and matrilineal land inheritance should be encouraged by the community traditional institutions.

Key words: Gender, Land Ownership Structure, Production, Patrilineal, Matrilineal, Imo