Effects of property rights on agricultural production: The Nigerian experience

The study was conducted to examine the effects of property rights and other factors on the outputs of maize, yam and cassava in three zones of Osun State in Nigeria. This study employed a multi-stage sampling technique to select 105 farmers involving growers of maize, yam and cassava in the study area. Data were analyzed with the aid of descriptive statistics, budgetary techniques and a multiple linear regression model. The results of budgetary analysis showed that variable cost was highest in yam production. The average revenues per hectare for maize, yam and cassava were (N is Nigerian currency equivalent to about $0.0067) N104, 487.50, N583, 846.20 and N438, 208.50, respectively. However, the average net incomes were N19, 908.40, N432, 079.00 and N96, 543.90 for maize, yam and cassava, respectively. Based on the rates of returns, N1 invested in each of maize, yam and cassava production yielded N1.2, N3.4 and N3.1, respectively implying that yam was the most profitable crop in the study area. The result of the multiple regression model revealed that farm size significantly affect the outputs of the three crops. Land rights type (having either use right/use and transfer right) and security of land defined by duration of land use affected maize output while duration and ownership type affected yam output, whereas, duration only affect cassava output. There is therefore the need to review the land distribution and administration policies based on the identified significant factors affecting each crops.   Key words: Nigeria, Osun State, crops, maize, yam, cassava, land rights.