ABSTRACT

The study focused on effect of land tenure system on agricultural productivity in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. Specifically the socioeconomic characteristics of the farmer were described, the various land holding patterns were examined, factors affecting the agricultural productivity of respondents engaged in land tenure system of farming were determined and the problems of the different land holding patterns were identified. A multistage random sampling technique was adopted in selecting 50 respondents in the L.G.A. A set of well-structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered to the farmers to obtain required information. Descriptive statistics such as means, frequencies and percentages were used in presenting the data on the socioeconomic variables. Data collected were analyzed using multiple linear regression technique. The result indicates that majority (68%) of the samples respondents in the study area were males, while the rest (32%) were female. The mean ages were 50.1 years. Majority (50%) of the farmer were married, The mean hectare cultivated is 1.51, this further indicate that a greater percentage of the respondents in the study area had above 1.01 hectare of land under cultivation or active farm operations. The major source of land acquisition was by inheritance as reported by 42% of the respondent. The individual pattern of land holding is the most common in Bende local government are of Abia State. Regression results indicate exponential functional form gave the best line of fit. R2value was 71.06% and statistically significant at 1% level, Farm Age, farming experience, land ownership type and duration of land use were at 1%, 1%, 10% and 10% respectively. There is therefore the need to review the land distribution and administration policies based on the identified significant factors affecting productivity.