A Diagnostic Analysis of the Land Tenure System of Farmers in Kiangan, Ifugao

Abstract

This was conducted to: identify the land tenure systems practiced by landlords and landless tenants; describe the terms and conditions of the agreement between the landlords and the tenants; and determine the problems encountered by the respondents in the terms and conditions of the agreement. This study was conducted in Kiangan, Ifugao from December 2012 to February 2013. All of the respondents were involved in share cropping. There were three types of landlord and tenant sharing such as 50:50 share, 15:85 share and 30:70 share. The conditions of inputs depended upon the type of share cropping. It may be shared by both the landlord or his tenant or it may be shouldered solely by the landlord or vice versa. There were no written contracts since the respondents preferred verbal agreements by which they could subject to changes when called for. Furthermore, the respondents added that they experienced many problems like problems on the repair of farm after calamities, maintenance of irrigation system, incomprehensive tenure agreement, disagreeable attitudes of the tenure strata, additional expenses and misunderstanding between the landlord and tenant. In conclusion, there are still existing imperfections of the share cropping agreement even if it was practiced for generations. Thus, it is recommended that the existing policies should be reviewed and developed governing the land tenure practices that may improve arrangements among landlords and tenants and it is also recommended that in order to promote a comprehensive working agreement, a written contract should be considered to properly define the terms and conditions of the agreement that will help avoid disputes among the tenurial strata.