Abstract:
The objective of this study was three-fold; to determine the land tenure system existing in Morogoro District, to assess the perception of female headed households (FHHs) on the existing land tenure system and to determine income poverty status among FHHs based on existing land tenure systems. The study used a cross-sectional research design; data was collected from 160 FHHs using a structured questionnaire in Matombo, Mkuyuni and Mikese divisions. This study only used primary data, both quantitative and qualitative methods in analysing the data collected. Five Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in the surveyed villages to supplement data collected through the questionnaire. Findings from the research show that customary land tenure system was practised in the area and most of the surveyed households owned land through inheritance. In addition, FHHs had a positive perception on the existing land tenure system. Results from the multiple linear regression analysis show that variables such as occupation of the respondents, market accessibility for the products that households produce, land tenure parameters, households total acreage, marital status, family size and age of respondent were statistically significant (p 0.05) on the total household‟s income of an individual. The study concludes that; customary land Act prevailed in the study area. The FHHs had access to land but had no control over it. Moreover low income persisted among FHHs. The study recommends that; there is a need for FHHs not only to have access to land but to also to have control on it, bearing in mind that this is fundamental means for the poor to participate in agricultural productivity which can then improve their income status.
