Conceptual issues related to classification of land tenure systems in Bangladesh

Census, surveys and research studies conventionally identify three tenure classes -owner-operators, part-tenants and tenants - in Bangladesh. Some sources identify two more classes-part-operators and absentee owners. Conceptual deficiencies of these 3 or 5 type tenure classifications are discussed and alternative conceptual framework is suggested for identifying and classifying tenure relationship. Applying the suggested framework, 17 different tenure relations were identified in a sample of 385 farms.