Ashinedu Sarah OKPALA

The study evaluate land tenure of taungya farm in Edo State, Nigeria. Data were collected through primary and secondary sources. The primary data were obtained through the use of well-structured questionnaire administered on 127 respondents in six local government areas practicing taungya farming in government reserved forest. The data collected were analyzed with descriptive statistics summarized in tables and charts and inferential statistics with the use of analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 5% level of significant difference. The results showed significant difference (P<0.05) among the various locations of the respondents farm land, which dominate any other location considered in the studies. The result shows that the state ownership stood at 69% while other forms of ownership by the respondents were communal, traditional, and private ownership which accounted for 16, 11 and 4% respectively. The results also showed that majority (60%) of the respondents affirmed that their farm size ranges from 2-4 hectares. While 24% and 16% of the respondents had less than 2 hectares and 5-7 hectares respectively. The results showed significant difference (P<0.05) in land rate per hectare among the various years under review. The rate accruable in 2020 till-date differ significantly (P<0.05) from every other year under review. The results revealed the various sources of financing the taungya farm, the study confirms that 54% of the respondents obtained their source in financing the taungya farm practice through individual/personal contribution. 18%, 16% and 12% of the respondents affirmed for borrowed money, government grant and government loan respectively. The results revealed significant difference (P<0.05) between the selling price and cost price of the arable crops under review. The selling prices dominated the cost prices of the arable crops in taungya practices. Despite the profitablility measure and yield from the farming system, the farmers experience inadequate minority from the relevant authorities through the duration for land use rent and incentives from government is one of the mitigation the taungya farmer agitated for in the study area.