Revisiting the Impact of Land Policies Reforms on Agricultural Productivity in Sub Saharan Africa: Focus on Land Ownership

The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of land ownership on agricultural productivity and suggest suitable actions that may enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to economic growth in Sub Saharan Africa. For so doing, the paper re-views literature discussing the impacts of recent land policies reforms on land tenure security and agricultural productivity in Sub Saharan Africa. By reviewing fifty-five studies, this paper focuses on the assumption that recent land policies reforms lead to land tenure security and enhance investment in a more productive agriculture. The re-view shows that this assumption is controversial for at least four reasons. First, most available studies do not show empirical evidence to support the above-mentioned effect. Second, there are suggestions those recent land policies reforms promote challenges for investing in agricultural inputs and improving productivity. Third, challenges in accessing to a secured land remain critical despite policies reforms and forth, number of farmers remain vulnerable to land customary land systems. The findings suggest a suitable mix of adaptive land and agriculture policies that enhance agricultural productivity and contribute to economic growth in Africa.