Resource information
This study addresses the significant issue of land fragmentation in Ethiopia, which is characterized by small, irregular, scattered parcels with no or adequate road access. With landholders owning multiple small and dispersed parcels, averaging 1.5 hectares, the situation demands urgent policy intervention.
While existing research primarily focuses on land fragmentation as a problem and farmland consolidation as a solution, this study seeks to explore alternative policy tools beyond consolidation. It aims to conduct a comparative analysis of different land policy instruments available to address land fragmentation in Ethiopia and evaluate the legal and institutional frameworks necessary for their implementation.
Through secondary data analysis and a systematic literature review, the research identifies a range of policy instruments, including land consolidaton, voluntary land exchanges, market-based transactions, cluster farming, and cooperative formation. These instruments require different approaches, some focusing on reorganizing landholding structures while others concentrate on consolidating land use patterns.
The study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive policies and laws tailored to manage land fragmentation effectively. It suggests the establishment of a dedicated organization, possibly a land consolidation commission, to oversee national initiatives in land fragmentation management. Furthermore, it highlights the need for tailored approaches, recognizing that not all forms of land fragmentation are problematic.
In conclusion, the research underscores the significance of research, education, training, and awareness campaigns to foster understanding and adoption of land fragmentation management tools, including land consolidation, as part of a broader strategy for sustainable land use in Ethiopia.