What impact does the lack of female land ownership worldwide have on agriculture?

Land ownership is a fundamental aspect of agricultural systems worldwide, shaping production, livelihoods, and socio-economic dynamics within communities. However, disparities in land ownership rights persist, with women often facing significant barriers to accessing and owning land. The lack of female land ownership worldwide has a variety of impacts on agriculture, and challenges remain despite a variety of strategies being implemented
Across regions and cultures, women consistently face obstacles in securing land ownership rights. Legal frameworks, customary practices, and social norms often favor male inheritance and property rights, relegating women to secondary or insecure land tenure positions. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, women represent a minority of landowners globally, with significant variations in land ownership patterns between men and women across countries and regions.

The lack of female land ownership hampers agricultural productivity and economic development in multiple ways. Women who lack secure land rights often face difficulties accessing essential resources such as credit, seeds, fertilizers, and technology, constraining their ability to invest in and improve agricultural practices. Studies have shown that when women have secure rights to land, they tend to invest more in land improvement, adopt sustainable farming techniques, and achieve higher levels of productivity.

In many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, women play a central role in agricultural production, yet they often lack formal land ownership rights. However, initiatives such as the Land Tenure Support Program in Tanzania have sought to strengthen women's land rights through community-based approaches, leading to improved agricultural productivity and women's empowerment.
Female land ownership is closely linked to household food security and nutrition outcomes. Women play critical roles in food production, processing, and distribution within households, but their ability to fulfill these roles is compromised when they lack ownership or secure rights to land. Secure land rights empower women to make decisions about land use and investment in agriculture, leading to improved food access, dietary diversity, and nutrition outcomes for their families.

In South Asia, where agriculture remains a primary source of livelihood for millions of rural women, unequal land ownership rights contribute to persistent food insecurity and malnutrition. In Bangladesh, initiatives such as the Homestead Food Production Program have empowered women through land redistribution and support for home gardening, leading to increased food availability, dietary diversity, and improved nutrition for women and children.

The lack of female land ownership perpetuates rural poverty and economic marginalization, particularly among women and vulnerable populations. Land ownership provides a foundation for economic empowerment, allowing individuals to generate income, access markets, and participate in economic activities. When women are excluded from land ownership, they are often relegated to low-paying agricultural labor or informal sector employment, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

In countries such as Brazil, gender disparities in land ownership contribute to inequalities in rural livelihoods and economic opportunities. Land concentration among male landowners exacerbates poverty and social exclusion among rural women, indigenous peoples, and landless workers. However, grassroots movements and land reform initiatives, such as the Landless Workers Movement (MST), have mobilized for land redistribution and agrarian reform, advancing women's land rights and socio-economic empowerment.
The lack of female land ownership represents a significant barrier to inclusive and sustainable agricultural development worldwide. Addressing gender disparities in land tenure requires comprehensive strategies that address legal, institutional, and cultural barriers, while promoting women's rights, empowerment, and participation in decision-making processes. Examples from diverse regions demonstrate the transformative potential of secure land rights for women, agriculture, and rural communities, highlighting the importance of gender-sensitive approaches to land governance and agrarian reform. By recognizing and addressing the linkages between gender, land tenure, and agriculture, policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders can work towards more equitable and resilient food systems that benefit all members of society

Sources:

The gender gap in land rights (fao.org)

Tanzania Land Tenure Support Programme - Tanzania Land Transparency Program | Land Portal

Homestead_Food_Production_Nutrition_HKI.pdf (fao.org)

What is the MST? | Friends of the MST (mstbrazil.org)