An Econometric Analysis Of Two Possible Land Reform Strategies In Nigeria

Abstract

Land reform is concerned with changing the institutional structure governing man’s relationship with the land, involving intervention in the prevailing pattern of land ownership, control and usage in order to change the structure of holdings, improve land productivity and broaden the distribution of benefits. Land reform is an aggregate of ideas and courses of action designed to resolve tenure problems. Nigeria is, an agrarian nation with over 56.8% of her working force engaged in farming. Doner and Kanel emphasize the significant contribution of the agricultural sector towards the overall economic development of underdeveloped countries, such as Nigeria where more than. 50% of the working population is engaged in farming. Agricultural reforms has the advantage of provision of more employment, more equitable income distribution, a wider relevant structure for the growing manufacturing sector, a better base for farm financed welfare, and more rational investment policies in both the agricultural and nonagricultural sectors of the economy. Traditional land tenure system defined the opportunity to earn income in farming and provided the security that an individual would always have access to some part of his family’s land. However, investment in land improvement and increases in productivity are hindered by tenure rules. The unknown nature of the ultimate results of tenure changes increases the risks involved in initiating any program of land reform.