Land tenure insecurity in post-certification Amhara, Ethiopia

Abstract

It is generally believed that tenure security has improved due to the programme of land certification. Inthis paper I argue the opposite. Tenure security concerns three different rights: possession, renting andlatent rights. Rights of possession are believed to have improved, but the evidence is weak and conflicting.Land rentals are expanding and farmers face high tenure insecurity. The main problem, though, is latentrights, with great insecurity and increased conflict levels. Despite rapid economic development thereis considerable social malaise, an unfortunate agricultural structure, and considerable pressure for landredistribution due to unresolved land tenure issues. The paper is based on the certification literature andprimary material from North Shäwa.