Assessing the dynamic impact of formal and perceived land rights on fruit tree cultivation: Exploring the moderating role of forest ecology, gender, and land acquisition method

• This paper analyzes the impact of secure land rights, as measured by perceived and formal land rights, on fruit tree cultivation. • Formal land certification, as well as perceived transfer rights, significantly boost the number of fruit trees on a private plot. • The impact of land rights on fruit tree cultivation became stronger over time. • Secure land rights have a stronger impact on fruit tree cultivation in forested communities, among male plot owners, and on inherited plots. • There is a need for policies promoting land tenure security, gender equity, and consideration of local conditions to enhance rural agricultural investments. Secure land rights are essential for encouraging long-term agricultural investment, particularly in developing countries. Fruit trees, in turn, play a critical role in livelihoods due to their nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits. However, the specific effects of secure land tenure—measured through both formal and perceived land rights—on fruit tree cultivation in Ethiopia remain underexplored. In addition, there is limited understanding of how gender, local land use, and modes of land acquisition moderate this relationship. This study addresses these gaps using nationally representative panel data. The results show that secure land rights, whether formal or perceived, significantly promote fruit tree cultivation, both in terms of the number of trees and the likelihood of tree adoption on a plot. Notably, this impact strengthens over time. However, heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect varies considerably depending on environmental and social factors, including local land use, gender, and land acquisition methods. Specifically, the study finds that the impact of secure land rights is more pronounced in communities located within forest ecosystems than in non-forest areas. These findings support the economic theory of property rights by demonstrating that secure land tenure fosters fruit tree cultivation, contributing to sustainable agriculture. The study underscores the importance of policies that enhance tenure security by reducing costs and expanding access to land certification. Moreover, addressing gender disparities through targeted interventions could empower women plot holders to exercise property rights more effectively, thereby boosting investment and improving economic outcomes in Ethiopia and similar settings.