Toward an inclusive and evidence-based approach to farmland consolidation in Ethiopia

Abstract

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. These experiences also pointed to the highly knowledge-intensive nature of land consolidation initiatives that require engagement of dedicated multidisciplinary teams of professionals. The Alliance of Bioversity and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) in collaboration with its partners undertook assessments of bottlenecks of land fragmentation and benefits of VLC. The assessment also focused on the legal bases of land consolidation at national and regional/sub-national levels, the nascent experiences with land consolidation-type initiatives in the country and the views of farming communities on VLC. The study reveals not only the presence of some legal provisions for VLC that could be seized upon but also an appreciation for VLC among farmers as well as professionals involved in land administration issues within Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture system. Anchoring the process on effective community participation, and realizing the importance of pursuing a farmer-led and science-based land consolidation drive, this paper provided a methodological framework that could instill discipline in the process and help operationalize VLC in Ethiopia in an evidence-based and technically rigorous manner.