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Land Tenure and Land Management in the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Berhanu, G/medhin
  • Pender, John
  • Ehui, Siemon

Abstract

Land tenure security is important to encourage investment in land improvements as well as the development of efficient land markets. In Ethiopia, empirical analysis is required to find out the effect of the current land tenure system on farmers’ propensity to invest in land improvements, and the development and functioning of land markets. Data collected from 50 communities in the highlands of Tigray in 1998 was used to investigate the functioning of land markets, and determine the relationship between perceived land tenure security and land investments in the region. We found out that informal land markets (sharecropping and fixed rental) are emerging in the region, and while quality of land is an important determinant of rental price in fixed lease, quality appears to play limited role in determining the land holder’s share in sharecropping. Landlessness is increasing in the region. Perceived tenure security is important for making land investments and use of improved farming practice. However, investments in land do not appear to have significant effect on perceived tenure security of farmers. Our results imply that there is a need to improve tenure security of farmers in order to encourage land investment. The role of public policy in facilitating the development of the fledgling land markets needs to be explored. The wishes and preferences of farmers regarding land tenure arrangements and land administration should be considered as crucial inputs to future land tenure arrangements. Moreover, an open, concerted and inclusive debate on the relevance and feasibility of alternative land tenure arrangements for the country or for different parts of the country needs to be encouraged. Alternative tenure arrangements need to be evaluated based on the level of security they provide to farmers, since tenure security is more important than the mode of ownership.

Suggested Citation

  • Berhanu, G/medhin & Pender, John & Ehui, Siemon, 2003. "Land Tenure and Land Management in the Highlands of Northern Ethiopia," Ethiopian Journal of Economics, Ethiopian Economics Association, vol. 8(2), pages 1-97, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:eeaeje:250148
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.250148
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Takada, Jun & Shuto, Hisato, 2023. "Causal linkages between land reform and factor demand under tenure insecurity: Evidence from Amhara Region, Ethiopia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    2. Fenske, James, 2011. "Land tenure and investment incentives: Evidence from West Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(2), pages 137-156, July.
    3. World Bank, 2007. "Determinants of the Adoption of Sustainable Land Management Practices and Their Impacts in the Ethiopian Highlands," World Bank Publications - Reports 7938, The World Bank Group.
    4. Muna Shifa & Murray Leibbrandt & Martin Wittenberg, 2015. "Does tenure insecurity explain the variations in land-related investment decisions in rural Ethiopia?," SALDRU Working Papers 150, Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit, University of Cape Town.
    5. Amede, Tilahun & Gebre-Mariam, A. & Felloni, F., 2008. "Small scale irrigation interventions for system productivity and natural resource management in Ethiopian highlands: benefits and best-bets," Conference Papers h044081, International Water Management Institute.
    6. Shunji Oniki & Melaku Berhe & Teklay Negash, 2020. "Role of Social Norms in Natural Resource Management: The Case of the Communal Land Distribution Program in Northern Ethiopia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-17, January.
    7. Hagos, Fitsum & Haileslassie, A. & Awulachew, Seleshi Bekele, 2009. "Assessment of local land and water institutions in the Blue Nile and their impact on environmental management," IWMI Conference Proceedings 212438, International Water Management Institute.
    8. Josephson, Anna Leigh & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Florax, Raymond J.G.M., 2014. "How does population density influence agricultural intensification and productivity? Evidence from Ethiopia," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 142-152.
    9. Amede, Tilahun & Gebre-Mariam, A. & Felloni, F., 2008. "Small scale irrigation interventions for system productivity and natural resource management in Ethiopian highlands: benefits and best-bets," IWMI Conference Proceedings 246404, International Water Management Institute.
    10. Oniki, S. & Berhe, M. & Negash, T., 2018. "Roles of the social norms on participation in the communal land distribution program in Ethiopia," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277070, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    11. Wibke Crewett & Benedikt Korf, 2008. "Ethiopia: Reforming Land Tenure," Review of African Political Economy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(116), pages 203-220, June.
    12. Kumasi, Tyhra Carolyn & Asenso-Okyere, Kwadwo, 2011. "Responding to land degradation in the highlands of Tigray, Northern Ethiopia:," IFPRI discussion papers 1142, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

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    Keywords

    Land Economics/Use;

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