Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional state Rural Land Administration and Utilization Proclamation (No. 110/2007).

This Proclamation aims at improving management and utilization of land and land resources for agricultural purposes in the Southern Nations, Nationalities And Peoples' Regional State. It applies to all land that lies outside of municipal borders. The Proclamation defines the right to acquire, free of charge, rural land by peasants, pastoralists and semi-pastoralists engaged in agriculture and the equal rights of women with respect to land and provides for the protection of such rights. Rural youths who wish engage in agriculture shall have the right to get and use rural land which is possessed by the community or government. The Proclamation also defines special rights of other disadvantaged persons. Details shall be determined by the regulation. The Proclamation furthermore, among other things, provides for rural land measurement, registration and certification, transfer, duration and re-allocation of land use right, obligation of rural land users in respect of proper use and protection of land, minimum rural land holding size, encouragement of land consolidation, land use planning and sustainable use of land (also affecting wetlands and biodiversity), dispute resolution, certain aspects of (equitable) water management, conservation of water resources, irrigation, and responsibilities of the Regional Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Implemented by: Rural Land Administration and Use Regulation (No. 66/2007). (2007-12-24)