Impacts of Rural Land Certification on Agricultural Land Use and Management in Haro Limmu Woreda, East Wollega Zone, Western- Ethiopia

Abstract

Aland certificate refers to document issued by the land registry to the owner of registered land as a proof of ownership with no mortgage on it. The objectives of this study was to assess the land certification impacts on agricultural land use practices in terms of productivity, tenure rights, land cause disputes and natural resource conservation in three selected kebeles ;Birbo, Tutine and Sombo Gadisa of Haro Limmu District ,East Wollega Zone, Western, Ethiopia . Data were collected through; semi structured questionnaires, one to one interview, field observation and focused group discussion and analyzed by using. different techniques for both qualitative & quantitative data type .Results of the study were presented using tables, charts and figures. that indicated land certification program enhances the peoples agricultural land use practices in a positive side for those who were certified . Among the 220 selected households, 181(82.3%) of them were certified farmers. Hence the certified respondents 181(82.3%) responded that the land certification program had a great value to use different agricultural land use practices such as check-dams, terracing , constructing waterways and guarantees for land tenure security rights by legalizing and promoting farmers confidence to invest on the land. In the contrary around 39 (17.7%) of the respondents were felt in the absence of their use of land thus could not try constructing of water ways , check-dams, terracing and other land care methods. The study also indicated that the land use conflicts is very limited for these certified farmers. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that, all non-certified land holders must be supported to get their land code or Green Card in order to get their ownership , to keep their land in a wise manner , and to increase its productivity,