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Implications of Customary Land Rights Inequalities for Food Security: A Study of Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ghana

Author

Listed:
  • Baslyd B. Nara

    (Department of Real Estate & Land Management, University for Development Studies (Wa Campus), Accra Box UPW3, Ghana)

  • Monica Lengoiboni

    (Department of Urban & Regional Planning & Geo-Information Management, University of Twente, Hengelosestraat 99, P. O. Box 217, 7514 AE Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Jaap Zevenbergen

    (Department of Urban & Regional Planning & Geo-Information Management, University of Twente, Hengelosestraat 99, P. O. Box 217, 7514 AE Enschede, The Netherlands)

Abstract

Inequalities in land rights exist globally, both in formal and customary settings. This is because land rights are either strong or weak, and held by various categories of people. The weaker variants of the inequalities tend to stifle tenure security, reduce land use, and threaten the food security of those dependent on the land for survival. This paper investigated the implications of customary land rights inequalities and varying tenure insecurity for food security among smallholder farmers in northwest Ghana. It identified the nature of rights inequalities, the number of rights and in whose possession. The research also assessed the kinds and nature of land rights as well as how such rights affect people’s farm sizes and subsequently farming output for ultimate food security. The data collection techniques were focus group discussions and interviews of key informants and key players in key organisations. Results revealed the existence of food insecurity among smallholder farmers (settlers/migrants) who have both fewer and weaker land rights as compared to landowners who possess numerous and stronger rights in the study area. Results also showed that weak and unequally skewed land rights lead to uncertain tenure durations and reduced farm sizes, which affects farmed area, farm output, food availability, accessibility and food security. Furthermore, farmers expressed the need to apply coping strategies to overcome the impact of unequal land rights. This research recommends further studies to design intervention strategies to better understand land rights inequalities and their implications. The outcome is expected to contribute to informing interventions to narrow these inequalities and reduce the implications that can later enhance food security.

Suggested Citation

  • Baslyd B. Nara & Monica Lengoiboni & Jaap Zevenbergen, 2020. "Implications of Customary Land Rights Inequalities for Food Security: A Study of Smallholder Farmers in Northwest Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:6:p:178-:d:366018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Alhola, Sara & Gwaindepi, Abel, 2024. "Land tenure formalisation and perceived tenure security: Two decades of the land administration project in Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C).
    6. Nara, Baslyd B. & Lengoiboni, Monica & Zevenbergen, Jaap, 2021. "Assessing customary land rights and tenure security variations of smallholder farmers in northwest Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    7. Nara, Baslyd B. & Lengoiboni, Monica & Zevenbergen, J.A., 2021. "Testing a fit-for-purpose (FFP) model for strengthening customary land rights and tenure to improve household food security in Northwest Ghana," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
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