African Rural Development Studies (Interdisciplinary - | 01 May 2004
Land Tenure Systems and Agricultural Investment in Mozambique: A Socioeconomic Analysis
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Abstract
Land tenure systems in Mozambique are characterized by a mix of customary and formal land rights, which significantly influence agricultural investment strategies among smallholder farmers. We employed a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative data analysis from household surveys with qualitative insights from in-depth interviews, focusing on the impact of land rights on investment choices across different regions and farming practices in Mozambique. The findings indicate that farmers with more secure tenure are more likely to invest in improved seeds (35% higher likelihood) compared to those with insecure tenancy. This trend is particularly pronounced among smallholder rice growers in the Zambezi Valley region. Our analysis underscores the critical role of land tenure security in shaping agricultural investment patterns, which can inform policy interventions aimed at enhancing rural development and food security in Mozambique. The government should prioritise reforms that strengthen formal land registration processes to ensure greater legal protection for smallholder farmers' investments. This includes establishing clear property rights frameworks to support sustainable agricultural practices. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.