Implementing Low-Cost Rural Land Certification : The Case of Ethiopia

This report is about implementing
low-cost rural land certification. Prior to 1975,
Ethiopia's land tenure system was complex and
semi-feudal. Tenure was highly insecure, arbitrary evictions
were common, and many lands underutilized. High inequality
of land ownership reduced productivity and investment,
leading to political grievances and eventually the overthrow
of the imperial regime in 1975. The Marxist government that
took power transferred ownership of all rural land to the
state, leading to declines in productivity and soil
degradation. A 1997 federal proclamation (law) devolved
responsibility for land policy to the regions. Although this
has led to considerable inter-regional diversity, a number
of common issues emerge, namely (i) administrative land
redistribution is not an empty threat; (ii) while land
rental is now allowed, the fact that in most regions the
amount that can be rented is limited and that land rights
are contingent on physical residence in the village could
undercut efforts at non-agricultural development and
migration from rural areas; and (iii) mortgaging and sale of
land are universally prohibited