Effects of Large-Scale Land Acquisition on the Livelihood Outcomes of Smallholder Farmers in the Pru District of Ghana
Dr. Charles Quansah, Dr. Nicholas Oppong Mensah, Dr. Agyemang Frimpong, Ronald Osei Mensah

Abstract
The study focuses on the effects of large-scale land acquisition on the livelihood outcomes of smallholder farmers in the Pru district. This study therefore went beyond establishing the relationship between large-scale land investment and farmers’ livelihood to provide an in-depth analysis on the effects that befalls on farming households’ livelihood outcomes as a result of large-scale land investment activities. The study employed a mixed method approach as it used both qualitative and quantitative methods and further employed multi-stage and cluster sampling procedures to select the Pru district, the study communities and the respondents. The study administered 332 questionnaires, conducted 14 Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The Pearson correlation results showed that large-scale land acquisition has a significant effect on employment, food security, income levels and healthcare but not nutrition of the smallholder farming households in the Pru district of the Bono East region. The Pearson correlation coefficients of 0.129, 0.080 and 0.128 suggested the effects of large-scale land acquisition on employment, food security and healthcare. To restore farming households to normalcy, this study strongly recommends that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) must formulate by-laws to ensure that large-scale land investors employ people from the host communities to participate in projects. As part of the recommendations, compensation package in the form of start-up capital sufficient to guarantee the livelihood of farming households should be given to households losing farm lands as a result of large-scale land acquisition.

Full Text: PDF