GENDER EQUALITY AND INCLUSIVENESS IN LAND ACQUISITION FOR FOOD SECURITY IN MUBI ZONE, ADAMAWA STATE

Abstract

Gender equality and inclusiveness in land acquisition are fundamental human rights and are critical for sustainable food production. However, women in rural Nigeria continue to face significant barriers. This study examined the impact of gender equality and inclusiveness in land acquisition on food production in the Mubi Zone of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The study specifically sought to: determine the impact of statutory law on women’s land rights, and identify the challenges mitigating food production. A survey research design was adopted, with a sample of 349 women drawn from a population of 2,750. A 45-item questionnaire was validated by experts and achieved a Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficient of 0.827. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and simple linear regression (α = 0.05). The findings revealed that statutory laws have a significant impact on women’s land rights (Grand Mean = 3.52). Major challenges affecting food production included climate change, market shifts, and high input costs (Grand Mean = 3.81). A significant positive relationship was found between gender equality and food production (p = 0.000; R² = 0.942), and between gender equality and land acquisition by women (p = 0.000; R² = 0.837). Advancing gender equality is fundamental to achieving sustainable food production. The study concludes that effective interventions require a holistic approach integrating legal reforms, socio-cultural transformation, and economic empowerment. It is recommended that the Adamawa State Government enact legal reforms to strengthen the enforcement of gender-inclusive land laws and harmonize statutory frameworks with customary systems to protect women’s land rights in the Mubi Zone.