This report was commissioned by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO.nl). RVO is responsible for the implementation of the LAND-at-scale programme, a demand-driven land governance support programme. The programme currently holds a portfolio of projects in 14 countries. LAND-at-scale supports interventions based on the UN Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT), with particular attention to interventions that support food security, rule of law, private sector development, gender equality and climate action.

This study focuses on land fragmentation in Ethiopia, exploring its impact on agricultural productivity and rural development. It proposes strategies for addressing fragmentation through land consolidation. The study employs a robust methodology, including data collection and analysis of  data, along with a meta-analysis of existing reports and studies on land fragmentation. Through these analytical approaches, the study aims to provide empirical evidence supporting the effectiveness of land consolidation strategies in Ethiopia.

Small plot size and land fragmentation are serious problems affecting agricultural productivity in many African countries. These problems are even serious in Ethiopia where population pressure is increasing and available farmlands per household are contracting. An entry point to tackle this problem can be voluntary land consolidation (VLC). Experiences elsewhere mainly in Eastern Europe and Asia demonstrate significant yield increase associated with increased efficiency and productivity through VLC.

Rice production in Asia and Africa has faced labor shortages and climate change issues such as unanticipated droughts and
floods, causing unstable yields and a high risk of crop losses. In addition, low farming efficiency, high carbon footprint,
and high postharvest losses are the major constraints in rice production. Low farming efficiency (high energy and
labor cost and agronomic input use) is mainly caused by poor land consolidation, lack of precision land leveling, crop

This one-pager provides details on the LAND-at-scale project in Egypt. This project is implemented by GIZ Egypt, and financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs via the Netherlands Enterprise & Development Agency (RVO).