Implications of Land Ownership Heterogeneity on Household Food Security: A Case Study of Urban Farming in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province

Understanding the impact of land ownership on household food security is crucial for achieving sustainable rural and agricultural development in developing countries through improved farm performance. Using a multistage sampling technique to collect data from 156 urban farmers, this study analysed the impact of land ownership on household food security of urban farmers in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa. This study employed the probit model to evaluate the drivers of land ownership among urban farmers, while the marginal treatment effects model was employed to address selection bias attributed to observed and unobserved characteristics. The analysis of food security status reveals varying degrees of food insecurity, with the majority of households experiencing mild food insecurity and a smaller proportion facing moderate food insecurity. Our results show that land ownership likelihood is positively and significantly influenced by monthly income, age, and membership to a cooperative, while gender and distance to market have negative and significant impacts. The empirical results also show that land ownership significantly reduces household food insecurity by 50%. In conclusion, the interplay of educational level, household size, access to water, access to credit, and distance to a market with land ownership significantly shapes food security outcomes. A comprehensive understanding of these relationships is essential for developing effective policies aimed at enhancing food security, particularly in regions where land ownership is a critical determinant of agricultural productivity and food availability.