Economic evaluation of land tenure of Taungya farms in some local government areas in Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Socio-economic consequences of unsecured land tenure right of taungya farm land which exposed farmers to random government eviction was the focus with objectives to determine the annual crop yield, economic benefits, land ownership, land rate, size of plot and associated problems. The study evaluated land tenure of Taungya farm in Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Multi-stage sampling method was used for the study; firstly 75% sampling intensity (SI) was applied in 8 LGAs namely; Ovia North East, Ovia South West, Etsako West, Uhumwuonde, Esan North East, Esan South East, Orhionmwon and Ikpoba-Okha, where Taungya system is practiced and secondly 50% SI on 253 Taungya farmers.  The primary data were obtained with the use of questionnaire administered randomly to 127 respondents in six local government areas previously identified with the adopted sampling procedure. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 23. Results were tested with descriptive statistics summarized in tables and charts and inferential statistics with the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significant.  The results showed significant difference (P<0.05) among the various locations of the farm land which was dominated by Taungya farm within forest land. The results showed that the state ownership stood at 69% while other forms of ownership identified were communal, traditional, and private ownership which accounted for 16%, 11% and 4% respectively. The results also showed that 60% of the respondents affirmed that their farm size ranged from 2-4 hectares, while 24% and 16% of the respondents had less than 2 hectares and 5-7 hectares respectively. The results showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) in land rate per hectare among the various years under review. Land rate from the year 2020 till-date dominated the values witnessed in other periods under review. The results showed that financing from individual / personal savings stood at 54% while borrowing, government grant and loan accounted for 18%, 16% and 12% of respectively. The results revealed significant difference (P<0.05) among income from different arable crops and also among locations identified. It is recommended that government agent should engage in adequate monitoring so as to maintain sustainable tree plantation programme by ensuring that no Taungya farmer would have opportunity to stay more than maximum allowable period of 3 years in a piece of land.