Tenure Insecurity, Climate Variability and Renting out Decisions among Female Small-Holder Farmers in Ethiopia

Abstract

Land tenure arrangements in Africa are generally skewed in favour of males. Compared to males, female plot owners face complex sets of constraints and systemic high tenure insecurity which culminate in low yields. In order to obtain better returns, some females rent their plots to males, but risk losing the plots to their tenants. A model has been constructed to explain renting-out decisions of female small landholders, an issue largely ignored in the agricultural economics literature. The results, based on a survey of female landholders in Ethiopia, highlight the factors that explain renting-out decisions.

Introduction to the Special Issue on the Economics of Climate Change Impacts on Developing Countries: Selected Studies on Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia

“…Both issues are critical yet have received very little attention in the literature. In most African countries, including Ethiopia, land tenure arrangements favor men [10]. In addition, compared to their male counterparts, female small landholder farmers face extra layers of constraints in input and output markets resulting in low and variable yields.…”

“…However, she then risks losing the plot to the male tenant. Akpalu and Bezabih [10] present a theoretical model and empirically investigate factors that influence the renting out decision.…”