Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi

Challenges of Agricultural land Lease Market and its Implications for Food Security in Ishangev Community, Konshisha Local Government Area, Benue Sate Nigeria

Dr Nguveren Kyernum and Dr. Rhoda Ebi Dewua

Abstract

There has been an increasing agricultural land leasing especially in the rural Tiv communities due to increased agricultural activities occasioned by increased population and demand for food. This study was set to investigate the patterns of involvement in land leasing and its implications on food security in Ishangev Community of Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State Nigeria. The objectives of the study include; to examine the land tenure system practiced in the study area, to assess the pattern of land lease market in the area, to investigate the challenges of land lease market in the study area, to examine the implications of the challenges of land lease market on food production and food security. The population of the study was the land owners and landless farmers in the study area. A purposive sample technique was used to sample 75 land owners and 75 landless farmers from Ishagev-tiev community. Data were collected using structured interview, in-depth interview and nonparticipant observation. It was discovered that traditional land tenure system which is hereditary was practiced in the study areas, terms of land leasing were cash, flief and crop sharing varying from one family to the other, the challenges of land lease market includes cost of land, undue demands from tenants and uninformed dismissal of tenants among others. The implication of these was seen to be increase in cost of food production, prices of food and food insecurity among others. It was recommended among other things that, conditions guiding land lease market be clearly spelt out by traditional rulers and the local government administration for both parties to follow so that land will be made available for cultivation, while farm lands are released into the hands of landless farmers to cultivate enough food to ensure food security.

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