Land rights and rental systems: Implications for management of conflicts related to land in Sawah-based rice production systems in Nigeria.

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This study examined the land rights and rental systems followed by sawah rice farmers in Nigeria. The study was conducted in six states in Nigeria that use sawah rice technology: Kwara, Ondo, Niger, Ebonyi, Kaduna, and Abuja, which is the Federal Capital Territory. A total of 124 sawah farmers were selected for participation based on their involvement in sawah-based rice production. Data used in this study were collected from October 2009 to January 2011 in all the sawah sites in Nigeria. T-test was used to determine significant differences in the yields and farm sizes of landlord and tenant farmers. The land tenure system practiced in the lowlands is governed primarily by inheritance (71.8%), with temporary arrangements made through rentals (37.1%). Tenants pay ₦12, 000 ha-1year-1 in land-for-cash agreements and 5% of the total yield of rice in land-for-paddy agreements. Generally, agreements between landlords and tenants are verbal, binding, and honored by both parties. Land conflicts occur when either party breaches the agreement and always result in the landlords taking over the land. Significant differences in the farm sizes (t = 3.424 P<0.05 = 0.02) and yields (t = 3.167 P<0.05 = 0.01) of landlord and tenant farmers were found. The findings of the study indicate the importance of secured land tenure, which affects the practice of sawah and the productivity of rice farming. Sustaining and improving sawah rice production in the study area will require addressing the land tenure issues of both landlords and tenants.