Study of Land Tenure Systems and Their Effect on Agricultural Investment in Ebonyi State

Land tenure security is a foundational determinant of farmers' willingness to invest in land improvements, and examining tenure system effects on agricultural investment in Ebonyi State provides evidence for land policy in South East Nigeria. This study examined the relationship between land tenure systems and agricultural investment decisions among farmers in Abakaliki, Izzi, and Ezza South Local Government Areas, Ebonyi State. A cross-sectional survey of 240 farmers, classified by tenure type (owner-occupier, tenancy, family land, and customary), was conducted. Data covered land area, investment in soil improvements, irrigation, storage infrastructure, and perennial crop planting. OLS regression was applied with agricultural investment as the dependent variable. Results showed that owner-occupier farmers invested 2.4 times more per hectare in land improvements than tenant farmers. Farmers on customary family land without formal documentation showed lower investment than those with formal land certificates. Land improvement investment rates were significantly higher among farmers who perceived strong tenure security. Investment in perennial crops such as oil palm and cashew was almost entirely concentrated among farmers with high tenure security. Tenure insecurity prevented 47.8 percent of tenant farmers from applying for agricultural credit using land as collateral. The study concludes that land tenure insecurity is a significant constraint on agricultural investment in Ebonyi State. Recommendations include accelerating land registration and titling programmes, reforming customary land tenure documentation, and establishing collateral substitutes for tenant farmers accessing agricultural credit.

Keywords: land tenure, agricultural investment, Ebonyi State, tenure security, land policy