Salale University
College of Social Sciences and HumanitiesDepartment of Civic and
Ethical StudiesMA Program in Civics and Ethics
MA Proposal
An Assessment on the Challenges and Practices and of RuralLand
Governance:In the Case of Kuyu Woreda
BY: Jenenew Mellese
Advisor: Mr. Tilaye Fikadu
A THESIS PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO SALALE UNIVERSITY, COLLEGE OF
SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES, DEPARTMENT OF CIVICS AND ETHICAL
STUDIES, IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS
CIVICS AND ETHICS
March, 2022
Fitche, Ethiopia
1
APPROVAL SHEET
Submitted by:
_________________________
PG Candidate
__________________
Signature
_______________
Date
Approved by:
___________________________
Advisor
________________________
Head Department
__________________
Signature
__________________
Signature
i
_________
Date
_______________
Date
TABLE CONTENT
Contents
Pages
Approval Sheet................................................................................................................................. I
Table Content .................................................................................................................................. II
Chapter One .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.
Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1.
Background Of The Study ................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement Of The Problem....................................................................................................... 3
1.3. Objective Of The Study .......................................................................................................... 5
1.3.1 General Objective .................................................................................................................................................5
1.3.2 Specific Objectives ...............................................................................................................................................5
1.4. Significance Of The Study ....................................................................................................... 5
1.5. The Scope Of The Study ......................................................................................................... 5
1.6. Limitation Of The Study .......................................................................................................... 5
1.7. Definition Of Key Terms ......................................................................................................... 6
1.8. Organization Of The Study ...................................................................................................... 6
Chapter Two.................................................................................................................................... 7
2. Review Of Related Literature ..................................................................................................... 7
2.1. Basic Concepts And Definition Of Governance ...................................................................... 7
2.1.1. Governance ..........................................................................................................................................................7
2.1.2. Good Governance ................................................................................................................................................7
2.2. Land Governance And Administration ...................................................................................................................8
ii
2.3. General Overview Of Land Governance In Africa .................................................................................................8
2.4. General Overview Of Land Governance In Ethiopia ..............................................................................................9
2.5. Challenges Of Good Governance In Land Governance ........................................................................................ 13
2.6. Transparency In Land Governance At Local Level Of Government .................................................................... 14
2.7. Practice In Rural Land Administration At Local Level Of Government ............................................................. 14
Chapter Three................................................................................................................................ 16
Research Methodology ................................................................................................................. 16
3.1.
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 16
3.2. Description Of The Study ..................................................................................................................................... 16
3.3. Research Design .................................................................................................................................................. 16
3.4. Research Approach ............................................................................................................................................... 17
3.5. Sampling Design, Procedures And Size ............................................................................................................... 17
3.5.1 Sampling Frame And Target Population ............................................................................................................ 17
3.5.2 Sampling Unit ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
3.5.3. Sampling Technique .......................................................................................................................................... 17
3.5.4. Sample Size......................................................................................................................... 18
3.6. Data Collection Method And Sources ................................................................................... 19
3.6.1. Sources Of Data ................................................................................................................................................. 19
3.6.2 Data Collection Method And Instruments .......................................................................................................... 19
3.6.2.1. Questionnaires. ............................................................................................................................................... 19
3.6.2.2. Interview ......................................................................................................................................................... 19
3.6.2.3. Focus Group Discussion ................................................................................................................................. 20
3.7 Methods Of Data Analysis And Interpretation ....................................................................... 20
3.8. Confidentiality And Professionalism: Ethical Issues ............................................................. 20
3.9. Time Schedule ....................................................................................................................... 21
iii
3.10. Budget Allocation For The Study ........................................................................................ 22
References ..................................................................................................................................... 23
iv
CHAPTER ONE
1. Introduction
1.1.Background of the study
Land is the important resource, so far thus without land life on earth cannot be sustained. Land is
considered as a physical commodity human strive to have the rights to own or use. Thus, good
land governance system of the land is essential for present and future generation.Governance is
the established system that helps to deliver social and economic service to maintainwell-being of
the society by participating stakeholders and actors and generates relationships among the
decision-making structures (Risse, 2010).Governance arrangement is very important to promote
the capacity of government and other stakeholders to bring better governance and to bring and
determine out comes of the governance. To open up of potential for a wider range of outcomes
that may be more effective to reach the service because diverse stake holders are existed to give
service and create satistfaction to the stakehoders and users.Governance in land administration
means clarity of land delivery processes, clarity and accessibility of the laws and rules regulating
land delivery, as well as free flow and accessible land market information to all (Dinka, 2016).
Land governance is
in many developing countries is experienced and characterized with
bureaucratic and political corruption due to the absence of good governance and weak local
institutions establishment. The system of land governance open access informationhas failed may
be due to lack professionals competency, knowledge and having corrupted mentality which able
to handle all the land issues with efficiency in accordance with rules and regulation(Weldeabrha,
2017).Moreover, there are a number of challenges in Ethiopia’s current land governance system
which are lack of clear policies, weak institutions, lack of transparency, and limited public
participation, and capacity challenges (Daniel and Adisu, 2018).
The frameworks have been identified as the most relevant key international frameworks for land
issues: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG) , the New Urban Agenda (NUA),
the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and
Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT),the Framework and Guidelines on
1
Land Policy in Africa (F&G) and the Guiding Principles on Large-Scale Land-Based Investment
in Africa (LSLBI) Principles(UN-Habitat, 2017).
In Africa, the institutions that are in charge of land and land related issues are incompetent for
the very reason that the individuals who are hired to administer the land administration do not
have the enough capacity i.e. they are weak in knowledge and skill (FAO, 2009). Besides,
scholars like Burns and Dalrymple (2008) noted that land administration is often perceived as
one of the most corrupt sector in public administration. The authors further argued that land
itself, considered a primary source of wealth, often becomes the trading medium and motivation
for political issues, economic and power gains, and self-fulfilling interests. Ethiopia as one of the
African countries has been striving for alleviating bad governance at all levels of government
since 1990s. Decentralization and good governance remain critical issues for national led
development programs in Ethiopia. Notwithstanding the achievements made so far, the
performance of good governance, especially in the land administration sector remained the most
subtle and unsatisfactory (MOFED, 2007). Therefore, cognizant to the economy of the people
and practices of the land administration, good land governance is not a matter of choice, but a
sine qua non in Ethiopia.
Moreover, in Ethiopia, the issue of land governance has long history.Land has been considered
as an important economic and social asset in which the livelihood,the status and prestige of
people is determinedLand as source of livelihood has received a high importance as compared to
other properties. In Ethiopian the issues of land is included in political and economic provision
which is enshrined in policy, proclamation and rule and regulations of the country (Solomon
Desalegn, 2020).
The history shows just how easily land tenure issues can politically divide a country and it has
been the land policy which has driven the politics for more than century. The governing body in
Ethiopia used land as political weapon by giving and taking it away as the case may be(Solomon
Desalegn,2020).As stated in article 40(3) of the FDRE constitution provided that state has the
ownership right over rural land and other natural resources of the nation. Up on this the study
was tried to investigate the challenges and practicesof land governance matter or condition in
regard to rural land governance in Kuyu woreda.
2
1.2.Statement of the Problem
In Ethiopia, despite ofthe exciting practice made on the progress ofsustainable land management,
but there are challengesparticularly in enforcement land issue in the institutions, provisions, legal
and constitutional framework, and automation of the land administration. The present national
land institution, for instance the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, lacking the
necessary and efficient arrangement with respect to land management, but also at present rural
land and urban land are enforced separately in an unpredictable and fragmented fashion. Since
robust institutions are the major vehicles of policy and legal enforcement, the appropriate
institutional arrangement has to be set. In this regard, governments and other stakeholders must
address a number of major issues relating to institutional reform such as defining responsibilities,
setting inter-governmental organization
coordination, and promoting decentralization.
Therefore, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and other concerned bodies need to
have better structured and/ or another new organ be established in such a way that all types of
land, i.e. rural and urban are handled under one roof with similar decentralization of the same
arrangement to the regions(Melkamu Belachew and Shewakena Aytenfisu,2010).
In Ethiopia, all land is under public/state ownership. While land is not subject to sale or other
means of exchange, the government does recognize use rights and holdings. The country’s legal
and institutional structure with regard to land governance has been criticized for being
unnecessarily complicated. The Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resource is the key
responsible organ (under the directorate for land administration and use) towards discharging
federal roles in land governance and revisiting existing legislation and so on. The land regime is
found in deferent legislation and again backed by also different customs.
Moreover, Ethiopia’s
Federal government structure gives its regions a lot of autonomy, which, in turn, has led to a
coexistence of different laws and institutions with at times unclear responsibilities at different
levels. To increases public sector efficiency leading to improved service delivery and regulation,
creating a more conducive environment, increasing local knowledge and links with local issues
and reduce the opportunities for large scale corruptions is necessary (Grindle, 2010). This
indicates the similarity with sound development management because land governance is linked
to socio- economic development (Popoola, 2011).
3
Empirical researches revealed that low capacity and low commitment of public servants,
corruption and rent seeking, low transparency and accountability have negatively affected the
performance of good land governance and local economic development in local governments
(Filbert, 2005; Mardiasmo, 2007). In Ethiopia, lack of good land governance manifested as in
lack of accountability, lack of meaningful participation and transparency in different parts of the
country have been observed challenging the pace of democratization process and development as
deemed by EPRDF regime (Meskerem,2007, Helvetas Ethiopia, 2008). In the absence of strong
capacity, strong commitment of public servants and the prevalence of rent seeking political
economy, it is hardly possible to root poverty out and ensure good land governance and
sustainable development that land governance in developing countries like Ethiopia is challenged
by poor coordination, imbalance between national policy and local decision making (Samsudin,
2014), overlapping land regulations, weak institutions, corruption and skill gap (Dinka, 2016;
Cosmas,2013). So far some local studies have been conducted by different researchers in
Ethiopia with regard to good governance but not about land governance. For instance, Woldeab
et al (2012) assessed the performance of good governance on service delivery at federal water
sector institutions and concluded merely on the selected institutions overlooking the
phenomenon at the local level. Besides, Kasahun (2010) assessed the prevalence of good
governance in selected public institutions as a case in Debre Birhan town. Another research was
done by Gebre slassie (2012) on the performance of good governance on selected public sectors
in Saesit Tsada Emba woreda of the Regional Sate of Tigiray. Therefore, despite the fact that the
above researchers took different sectors and different study areas, these researchers solely
concluded that the performance of good governance in Ethiopia, especially at local level land
governance is lacking and underperforming where much is left to be done.The problem being
observed the author of this study attempted to conduct study on what extent kuyu wereda people
satisfied by the current rural land governance system. In addition the researcher intended to
answer the following research questions.
•
What is the current practice of land governance is inKuyu woreda?
•
What are the challenges of rural land governance in Kuyu woreda?
•
Whatare the effort/measurestaken to alleviate the problem of ruralland governance in Kuyu
woreda?
4
1.3. Objective of the Study
1.3.1 General Objective
The general objective of the study is to investigate the practices and challenges of rural land
governance in Kuyu Woreda
1.3.2 Specific Objectives
This research is aimed to address the following specific objectives.
•
To assess the current practice of rural land governance .
•
To identify the challenge of rural land governance kuyu woreda.
•
To examine the measures and efforts taken bythe the local government administration to
combat the problem of rural land governance.
1.4. Significance of the Study
This study is very important, because it will help the following stakeholders. To Kuyuwereda
rural land administrator sector as a base to manage land. It will help the land administration of
kuyu wereda to identify the rural land governance practices that they follow and the challenges
that they faced. At the same time, it is also important to select appropriate measures for those
challenges. Here it will also show the patters of boundary determination of the given governance.
For the upcoming researchers itwill help for other researchers by acting as literature review
which initiates and motivates to conduct research I the area for rural land governance.
1.5. The Scope of the Study
Geographically,the data will be collected from kuyu wereda specially of only two
kebeles,because of constraint of time and money. In terms of chosen area of the study, the
research was guided by the specific objectives.Theoretically, the research will address only the
practice and challenges of rural land governance of the selected area.
1.6. Limitation of the Study
The researcher may face scarcity of time to accomplish the research on time. In addition to this
the research may take more than the allocated budget in terms of money. The researcher may
5
also face lack of source. Moreover COVID-19 pandemic is the prevailing problem to hinder to
collect data and consult some individuals regarding the issue under study
1.7. Definition of Key Terms
Governance: Governance is the exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority in
the management of country affairs, including citizen’s articulation of their interests and exercise
of their legal rights and obligation.
Good Governance: Good governance is about governing system in considering the principles of
participation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, rule of law, consensus orientation,
effectiveness and efficiency, and soon.
1.8. Organization of the study
This study will comprise five chapters. The first chapter dealt with the introduction, which
consisted of the background of the study, statement of the problem, research question, and
objectives of the study with its general and specific objectives of the study, significance of the
study, scope of the study and limitation of the study and definition of key terms. The second
chapter consisted of literature review. The third chapter will include research methodology with
site selection of the study area, data types and sources, research strategy and design, sampling
design, procedures and frame, data collection methods and data processing and analysis. The
fourth chapter will deal withdata analysis and interpretation. Finally, the last chapter will include
conclusion and recommendati
6
CHAPTER TWO
2. Review of Related Literature
2.1. Basic Concepts and Definition of Governance
2.1.1. Governance
Governance is the exercise of political, economic, and administrative authority in the
management of country affairs, including citizen’s articulation of their interests and exercise of
their legal rights and obligation.Governance and good governance are sometimes used
interchangeably although they are not alike. There is no agreement in using these terms rather
they are defined and conceptualized differently by different organizations and scholars. Despite
that, the two terms are increasingly being used in development literature. According to
Swaranojothi (2009) governance is a process of decision-making or the process in which
decisions are implemented or not implemented. Governance arrangement, in some respect
reduces the capacity of government or the state to directly determine out comes. On other hand
the open up of potential for a wider range of outcomes that may be more effective in their reach
because diverse stake holder. Land governance is often characterized by bureaucratic and
political corruption in many developing countries due to the absence of good governance on
local institutions. Also the system of open access information failed may be due to the lack of
professionals that can handle all the land issues with efficiency or else a deliberate hiding of
rules and regulations there by convenient for manipulation using the low awareness (lack of
information) of the ordinary people. (Weldeabrha, 2017).
2.1.2. Good Governance
Good governance is the process of measuring how public institution conduct public affairs and
manage public resources and guarantee the realization of human rights in a manner essentially
free of abuse and corruption and with due regard for the rule of law. Governance is the process
of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)
(UNESCAP, 2009). Governance in this context can apply to corporate, international, national, or
local governance (UNESCAP, 2009).as well as the interactions between other sectors of society.
7
The concept of "good governance" thus emerges as a model to compare ineffective economies or
political bodies with viable economies and political bodies( Acemoglu and Robinson,2012). The
concept centers on the responsibility of governments and governing bodies to meet the needs of
the masses as opposed to selected groups in society. Because countries often described as "most
successful" are liberal democratic states, concentrated in Europe and the Americas, good
governance standards often measure other state institutions against these states( Acemoglu
andRobinson,2012).Aid organizations and the authorities of developed countries often will focus
the meaning of "good governance" to a set of requirements that conform to the organization's
agenda, making "good governance" imply many different things in many different
contexts(Fukuyama, Francis, 2013). The opposite of good governance, as a concept, is bad
governance is the effective exercise of power and authority in effective and efficient service
delivering to improve the quality of life of the people and to transformation to the physical
environment. This indicates the similarity with sound development management because good
governance is related to socio- economic development (popoola, 2011).Good governance
exercises in the existence of accountability, transparency, responsiveness, inclusiveness and
participation in the process of policy directions and standards (Grindle, 2010).
2.2. Land Governance and Administration
Land governance concerns the rules, processes and structures through which decisions are made
about access to land and its use, the manner in which the decisions are implemented and
enforced, and the way that competing interests in land are managed (FAO/UN-Habitat,
2009).The overall mandate to enact laws for the utilization and management of land and other
natural resources in Ethiopia is given to the federal government (FDRE, 1995). Simultaneously,
the responsibility to administer land and other natural resources is given to regional states within
their jurisdictions. Institutions responsible for administration of land are divided for rural and
urban land despite the fact that there is an overlap, leading to conflict of interest and lack of
clarity on the matters related to per-urban land. Responsibilities are also shared between the
federal and regional level, with large differences in structure and capacity between the regional
states.
2.3. General Overview of Land governance in Africa
Throughout the world, land-related development cooperation has given attention to integrating
governance principles and safeguards into the design, implementation and impact monitoring of
8
land governance and management projects. Although land governance has been universally
accepted as the basis for economic and social development, recent privatization of land,
liberalization of land markets, and increasing demand and competition for land, have in many
developing countries led to greater tenure insecurity, enrichment of the wealthy and powerful,
and the further deprivation of the poor (Bell, 2007). In Africa, land governance particularly
during the colonial time, the colonial government used land as a tool to ease its own
administration and winning influence over the colony.
Bell (2007) claimed that developing countries has been affected by poor land governance such as
illegal grabbing, bribery and corruption, specifically in the sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover,
contested access to land and natural resources has been a factor underlying causes of bad
governance in many African countries.
2.4. General Overview of Land Governance in Ethiopia
Recent land tenure regimes in Ethiopia fall into three broad time periods. Before 1975, land
tenure was based on a feudal system where land was concentrated in the hands of absentee
landlords and the church, tenure rights were highly insecure, and arbitrary evictions took place.
Following the overthrow of the imperial regime in 1974, the Marxist-oriented government the
Derg transferred ownership of all rural land to the state for the distribution of use rights to
cultivators through local peasant associations. The further transfer of land rights was highly
restricted, because transfer through sales, lease, exchange, or mortgage was prohibited, and
inheritance was severely restricted. Tenure security was further weakened by the peasant
associations’ and other authorities’ ability to redistribute land. The government that took power
in 1991 following the fall of the Dergwhile committed to a free market philosophy has made
little substantive change to farmers’ land rights, which are still considered inadequate. The 1994
Ethiopian Constitution draws a broad framework for land policy in the country and enshrines the
concept of public land ownership and the inalienability of landholdings. The Ethiopian
Constitution asserts state ownership of land; there are no private property rights in land. Article
40(3) states:
The right to own rural and urban land as well as natural resources belongs only
to the state and the people. Land is an inalienable common property of the
nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia and shall not be subject to sale or
to other means of transfer.
9
The Government of Ethiopia is not prepared at this time to legalize private property rights in
land. Discussion with government officials and a review of policy statements has made it clear
that the issue of the privatization of land is not an option at this time for the government.
Ethiopia’s national land policy has been further clarified by Proclamation No. 89/1997, “Rural
Land Administration.” This law defines the scope of individual land use rights and states that
such rights can be leased and bequeathed. The land rights themselves cannot be sold or
exchanged, but private property improvements to the land can be sold or exchanged. The Rural
Land Administration Proclamation of 1997 delegates responsibility for land administration to
regional governments—including the assignment of holding rights and the distribution of
landholdingsbut also provides important general guidelines that the regional governments must
follow in crafting regional laws. At the same time, the government’s “Poverty Reduction
Strategy” paper has a guiding principle that every farmer who wants to make a livelihood from
farming is entitled to a piece of land free of charge. The responsibility for implementing this
strategy is left to regional governments. In order to protect their rights, farmers’ landholdings
should be registered and user certificates should be given to them.Regional governments, by
implication, could enact laws or regulations relating to the nature of land rights and could limit
the frequency of land redistribution programs. They have already permitted the rental of land,
though there still remains some restrictions on land transfers. Yet the land tenure situation in
Ethiopia remains ambiguous. While it is widely held that the provisions of the Constitution have
settled the land tenure situation, the Constitution itself is ambiguous, with marked variations in
interpretations by officials at different locations and levels of administration. While the
Government of Ethiopia has decentralized administration of land to the regional governments,
the formulation of broad land policy still rests with the federal government. At present, the
federal government has not enacted the necessary legislation for a broad policy for land
administration. onstitution has not been forthcoming, and local government officials are reluctant
to develop laws and policies that have not been sanctioned by the federal government. However,
different regional governments have begun to implement their own policies and land policy is
taking shape. Though not formalized, the salient features of these emerging regional polices are
similar and appear to reflect a degree of consensus within the ruling party: A general re-division
of land among the households of each peasant association is not anticipated in the foreseeable
future because holdings are already so small that it would reduce them even further below
10
subsistence levels. However, this general policy will not prevent individual peasant associations
from re-dividing land if their councils deem it necessary. Land can be inherited according to the
provisions of the civil code. Land can be rented, though the government may regulate the
conditions of leases. The transfer of land use rights between households for compensation does
not seem to be anticipated. Certificates of title may be introduced to reduce conflicts over land
boundaries and use rights. Land irrigated through the construction of new dams will be
reallocated according to regulations developed to take account of the needs of all households
affected. Land to be leased to commercial farms or made available for voluntary settlement will
be identified through a land use planning study.
The underlying dilemma of the official land policy discourse is that it does not take account of
household economic and demographic dynamics. There is an emphasized need for the
government to make sure that all households have equal or fair access to land. Future households
need to be assured access to land either through inheritance or through future land allocation
programs. While future redistribution programs may be considered as a possible mechanism to
reallocate land to future landless households, there seems to be arecognition that this cannot go
on forever. The extensive literature on farming households in Ethiopia makes it clear that a static
view of land resource needs fails to capture certain aspects of household dynamics.
some farmers work harder, are better managers, and make more efficient use of their land than
others. and also, due to demographic variables, inheritance alone cannot redistribute land
adequately or equitably to newly formed households. As a result of these socioeconomic
dilemmas, land becomes very inefficiently and unequally distributed between households in a
community after a few years of general redistribution. The resulting tensions are both interhousehold and intergenerational. A minimal requirement of sound land policy for Ethiopia is that
it must permit and facilitate the transfer of land use rights from one household to another through
transactions in addition to inheritance. Under the Derg system, land was to be redistributed
periodically, at least until producer cooperatives and state farms replaced the household mode of
production. In most areas, however, general redistribution was not carried out after the first
years. When it was carried out, it was disruptive. When it was not, it led to the socioeconomic
dilemmas already described. The present land policy, insofar as it has been articulated and put
into practice, does not address the dilemmas faced by peasant households. It does not take
account of households’ changing needs and flexible economic strategies. Over the past three
11
decades, Ethiopian farming households have had to scramble to keep up with changes in land
law and administration by postponing or speeding up marriage, by keeping married children in
the parental household or pushing them out, by planting trees or cutting them down, and by a
variety of other tactics intended to improve their chances of obtaining or retaining access to land.
The present widespread trend toward extensive short-term leasing and sharecropping does not
represent a satisfactory solution to the problem.
In Ethiopia, as elsewhere in the world, this enormous socio-economic significance stems from
the fact that land is a source of wealth, economic growth, employment and a source of basic
survival of the majority of the population (Yusuf et al, 2009). In the country history, Institutions
and individuals that controlled land have played a significant role for land governance. Three
regimes in Ethiopia were distinguished in relation to the land governance policy and changes
(Berhanu andFeyera, 2005). Land governance system in Ethiopia has undergone dramatic shifts
from feudalistic systems under the monarchy of Emperor Haile Selassie (1930-1974) to socialist
land policies under the Derg military government (1974-1991), to the current system under the
Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) who took control in 1991.
In imperial regime, the nature of the land tenure arrangement comprises private, state, church
land, kinship, communal and other forms. The system of government made extensive land grants
to members of the royal family, the loyal members of the nobilities, members of the armed forces
and police, top government officials and civil servants and notable businessman (Yigremew,
2002). In the imperial regime, land was subjected to numerous disputes and endless litigations.
Under this system land was sold and exchanged, but given all the land was originally state
property and that private holders had no absolute rights, it was different from the western
concept of free hold system The land governance system of the imperial regime was largely
considered as hindrance to the country’s development in general. It was mad most important
cause of political grievances that led to overthrow of the regime Institutional inadequacy-lack of
necessary frame work, absolute arbitrary control of land rights, and lack of land administration
organizations, unchecked and exploitive tenancy, tenure insecurity like arbitrary eviction
(Yigremew, 2002).
After the fall of the feudal system, the socialist government was confiscated the excessive
controlled land and distributed to the land less tenants. The socialist government abolished or
12
ended a feudal order and the corresponding land tenure system that had existed for years. But
during the socialist era land tenure were highly insecure as the arbitrary evictions by government
posed a serious threat and many lands were severely underutilized. The system did not encourage
private investors and land holders to develop their land parcel due to the threat of evictions and
insecurity land tenure (Yusuf et al, 2009).
The present government’s land policy unlike that of the imperial regime and the Dergue regime
is enshrined in the constitution.
The current Federal Constitution provides for the public
ownership. This has left peoples under uncertain about their rights. In Ethiopia; all land is under
public/state ownership. While land is not subject to sale or other means of exchange, the
government does recognize use rights and holdings. On the other hand, Ethiopia’s federal
structure gives its regions a lot of autonomy, which, in turn, has led to a coexistence of different
laws and institutions with unclear responsibilities at different levels (Dinka, 2016).
The constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) under article 40 (3)
states the type of landholding as:
“The right to ownership of rural land and urban land, as well as of all natural
resources is exclusively vested in the state and the peoples of Ethiopia. Land is a
common property of the nations, nationalities and peoples of Ethiopia. Land is a
common property of the Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia and shall
not be subjected to sale or other means of exchange.”
2.5. Challenges of Good governance in Land Governance
In several developing countries, land governance reform is being undertaken to ensure good
governance in land governance. However, the lack of technical and management capacity the
problems of good governance not solve thereby they need assistance from development partners
through grants for technical assistance to support capacity building and training. Another
frequently encountered challenge is inadequate resourcing to government land governance
agencies. These challenges are consistent faced in the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) (Bell, 2007).
Land governance in both developed and least developed countries have been challenged by
different factors. The major challenges of governance in relation to land governance are
13
corruption, rent seeking, lack of commitment of officials and experts and absence of mechanism
to make municipal official accountable for their misdeeds. In addition, the fact that they give
primacy to show political loyalty to their bosses other than discharging their duties in the most
effective manner is also anchoring effective land governance. Moreover, lack of resources,
scarcity of qualified or competent staff, weak institutional capacity and a lack of necessary
infrastructure are also additional factors that limit effective land management (Dinka, 2016).
2.6. Transparency in Land governance at Local Level of Government
Transparency is widely recognized as a core type’s governance. It means sharing information
and acting in an open manner. Free access to information is a main component to ensure
transparency, which is essential for controlling corruption in public life when the access of
information available is time line, relevant, accurate and complete for it to be used effectively
(Parigi et al, 2004). Transparent systems have clear procedures for public decision-making and
open channels of communication between stakeholders and officials, and make a wide range of
information available Transparency allows stakeholders to gather information that may be
critical to uncovering abuses and defending their interests.
Transparency in land governance means the freely available and accessible information in the
land management decisions and their enforcement are made honestly and fairly by institutions
mandated for the same. Transparency includes the following indicators: clarity of land delivery
processes, clarity and accessibility of the laws and rules regulating land delivery, as well as free
flow of and accessible land market information to all (Dinka, 2016).
2.7. Practice in Rural Land Administration at Local Level of Government
Accountability and governance are flip sides of the same coin because it helps to reflect lawfully
policies and procedures to best interests of the stakeholders according to the particular
governance arrangement. It can implement by various mechanisms such as practically initiatives
and inspection panels to hold themselves accountable for their actions (Carrington et al, 2008).
Practically of governance have the following indicators: the mechanism of reporting,
mechanisms of declaration of financial statements, mechanisms for questioning and appeal
mechanisms for conflict resolution (Dinka, 2016).
Practically governance in local land administration deal with the Woreda planning of land use,
redistribution protection and regulation issues, and from decentralizing rationale point of view, it
is as to whether the service providers can be held governance to the people (Abrham, 2014). But
14
the issue of action is among the major challenges of good governance in local land governance
by born problems like corruption and rent seeking, lack of commitment of officials and experts
and absence of mechanism to make municipal official accountable for their misdeeds (Dinka,
2016).
15
CHAPTER THREE
3, RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1.Introduction
This section focus on description of the study area, research design, the research approaches
research methods, and sample design, population of the study, sampling frame, sampling unit,
sampling technique, sample size and the samples. Sources of data, instruments of the data
collection, data analysis, data presentation, will also be presented. Besides, ethical consideration
such as the limitation of the study will be explaining in this part of the study.
3.2. Description of the study
Location of Kuyu woreda/ district:- Kuyu Woreda/district is one of the 180 Woreda/district from
Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. It is also one of among 13 Woreda/district in North
Shoa/selale/ Zone. Kuyu Woreda/district is about 42 km far from Fiche, the North Shoa zone
capital and 155km away from Addis Ababa in the North East direction. The administrative city
of Kuyu Woreda/district is Garba Guracha. Astronomically, it is located between 90 35΄ and 90
59΄ N latitude, and between 380 03΄ and 380 31΄E longitude. In relative terms woreda is located
North of Ada’abarga and Meta robi, East of Gindeberet, South of Warajarso, south west of
HidabuAbote and West of Dagam woreda/district.
Population of Kuyu district:- Based on the figure published by the central statistical agency
estimation in 2015, Kuyu Woreda/district has total population of 152,366 of whom 75,523 are
men and 76,843152 are women. 123,130 or 80.81% of its population are rural dwellers.
According to the same source, with an estimated area of 950.75km2 , Kuyu district has an
estimated population density of 160.3 people per square kilometer which is proportionate to zone
average of 172.2 people per square kilometer. The inhabitants of this district is mostly believe in
orthodox (92.6%), followed by protestant (5.9%), traditional believers (1.06%), Muslim (0.35%),
Catholic (0.03%), and finally other believers (0.06%).
3.3. Research Design
In order to assess the practices and challenges of rural land governance in Kuyu woreda,
descriptive survey research design will be used. The design will use the concurrent triangulation
strategy, which uses both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection.
16
3.4. Research Approach
As it is known about research methodologythere are three common approaches to conduct a
research projectwhich includes quantitative, qualitative and mixed research approaches.
Accordingly, in order to achieve the intended objectives of this study mixed research method i.e.
qualitative and quantitative research will be used for data gathering and analyzing procedures.
This research design is required because Completeness purpose in mixed methods of research
provides a holistic view of the phenomenon that cannot be achieved by one approach.
3.5. Sampling Design, Procedures and Size
3.5.1 Sampling Frame and Target Population
The target populations of this study will include the householder and public service provider of
kuyyu woreda. From this Woreda the researcher will select two kebeles as sample because of
constraint of time and finance. To carry out this study, the researcher will use about 159
respondents from the selected kebeles randomly. Sampling frame will plan list of population
from which the researcher can take her/his representative. Therefore, the sampling frame for this
study will be2107participant from the total number of households in two kebeles (H/chari=788
and Sombo =1319.
3.5.2 Sampling Unit
The proportionally selected sample houses from each of the woreda's two kebeles will be used as
the study's sample unit to understand comprehension of the overall process of rural agricultural
administration.Interviews with the service provider, woreda, and kebele land governance leaders
will be used to obtain information. Furthermore, the researcher will employ focus group
discussions to clarify ideas that are tough to comprehend in interview and questionnaires
responses, as well as to identify, articulate, and analyze problems in greater depth. It will be
conducted on eight (8) people in the selected kebeles, with four groups consisting of two people
from the women's organization, two people from the youth, two people from the peasants, and
two people from the public servants.
3.5.3. Sampling Technique
In this study the researcher will use probable sampling since the samples contain similar variant
as the population and from the probability sampling techniques, systematic sampling technique
will used select the sample size from each and every kebeles and selects a sample from the
17
sample unit at every 5th household on a list of all households of each of the two kebeles
households of the woreda. The sampling techniqueswill be used to draw a sample of respondents
from rural land governance/employees (i.e., rural land governance, experts and kebele land disk
leaders.
3.5.4. Sample Size
One of the first issues a researcher has with sample size is the quantity of participants who must
be included in his or her study. There are 1590 people in the study region who are 100%
homeowners. As a sample size for the study area, the researcher will choose 159(10 percent
=2107 10/100) from the 2107 target population. 10% used the reason that individual will be used
to under taken study because will be use the research consider these individual as source of
unknown fact by face to face contact so as to collect or extract the inner feelings of the interview
and then to acquire valuable information.
To determine the number of sample households for each of the two kebeles will be calculate by
dividing the kebele household by total household and multiplied by the desired sample size.
That is, n/N *Nr
Where n= kebele households N= total household and, Nr = the desired sample size.
Hence, for kebele H/cheri =788/1590=79 households and Sombo =802/1590=80 sample
households will be selected by proportionate systematic sampling technique for questionnaire
total 159 households(Cochran,1963).
In addition to this, the researcher will also use the purposive sampling for to select the employees
from the woreda and kebele leaders to make participant in interview and focus group discussion .
From the employees of kuyuu woreda 5 key employees from different departments in the Office
and 4 kebele leaders two key person from each kebele offices will be selected for detail
interviews and responses to the questionnaires. Moreover, the researcher will use the focusing
group discussion for further clarification of ideas that is difficult to understand in the responses
of questionnaires and interviews and also it helps to depth identify, articulating and analysis
problems. It will be conducted on each selected kebeles by forming four groups consisting of two
individuals from women association, youth, peasants, and civil servants by taking into account
education level, gender and age level to get all-inclusive respondent. Thus, the total 18 key
respondents are supplementing to the total 159 sample size of the study.
18
3.6. Data Collection Method and Sources
3.6.1. Sources of Data
To achieve the objectives of the study, both primary and secondary sources of data will be used.
To get the primary data, the questionnaires, interviews and FGD will be used. The secondary
data will be collected from different published and unpublished documents such as journals,
books, magazines, articles, websites, research findings, policy documents, different work
manuals and other relevant documents to the research.
3.6.2 Data Collection Method and Instruments
The researcher will collect data by using different instruments including questionnaires,
interviews and focus group discussion for householders, service providers, kebele and woreda
rural farm land of governance leaders, women association, youth, peasants, and civil servants.
The questionnaires will be distributed to house hold living H/chari and Sombo kebeles. Interview
will also be employed to gather information from the service provider, woreda rural farm land of
governance leaders
3.6.2.1. Questionnaires.
The researcher will be use semi-structured questionnaires because such kind of questionnaire are
an effective methodto collect adequate data from a large group of individuals within a short
period of time, and is easy to administer to a number of subjects in one place at a time. wants: to
collect qualitative, open-ended data,to explore participant thoughts, feelings and beliefs about a
particular topic; and to delve deeply into personal and sometimes sensitive issues.
The questionnaires will be distributed in kebele farm land will be to house hold residing in
H/chari and Sombo kebeles. The data will be collected by assigning teachers of kuyyu high
school and Agricultural experts. The questionnaire will administer in local languages.
3.6.2.2. Interview
Interview will also be employ to gather information from the service provider, the woreda and
kebele farm land of governance leaders. Three from each kebele service provider and two from
the kebeles’ and woreda land of governance. Hence, ten individuals will use to undertake the
study because the researcher considered these individuals as source of known facts by face to
face contact so as to collect or extract the inner feelings of the interviewees and then to acquire
valuable information. It will design based on local language to create good communication
between the researcher and the interviewee individuals in short period of time.
19
3.6.2.3. Focus Group Discussion
Moreover, the researcher will use the focus group discussion for further clarification of ideas that
difficult to understand in the responses of questionnaires and interviews and it helps to
replyidentify, articulate and analyse problems. It will conducted with eight (10) individuals in the
selected kebeles by forming four groups consisting of two individuals from owners of farm land,
women association, youth, peasants, and civil servants by taking into account education level,
gender and age level to get all-inclusive respondent. Hence, the researcher will use the focus
group discussion to crosscheck and triangulates the data collect from multiple sources.
3.7 Methods of Data Analysis and Interpretation
In this study, both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis techniques will be used.
The qualitative data that will be used to collect from interview and focusing group discussion
(qualitative) are converting into texts and analyzed by method of content analysis. The researcher
will list key ideas, statements and attitudes from the discussion during interviews for each topic
of discussion. The data will be organized in line with the research questions and objectives of the
study. On the other hand, the quantitative data that collect from the households will analyze by
using descriptive statistics using SPSS software and Excel. The quantitative data will be
analyzing and interpret using percentages, graphs and tables. Finally, the information from the
qualitative and quantitative will be interpreted.
3.8. Confidentiality and Professionalism: Ethical Issues
The researcher considered different ethical issues when conducting this research. Among those
ethical issues, confidentiality will get top priority. Besides, the researcher will use admission
letter and student identification card to introduce himself as a student researcher in the
application. Thereafter, the researcher will relax the respondents in order to free to give the
necessary information. To ensure the principle of confidentiality, the researcher will explain in
detail to the participants the principles of confidentiality and voluntary participation as well as tell
them the use of the data for only academic purpose.
20
3.9. Time Schedule
The time will be considered for the completion of the study should be having eleven activities,
and dates are assigned for each activity in the specified time schedule as shown below in the
table.
S. No.
Activities
Final date
1
Preliminary Works
November 1-10/2014
2
Selecting Topic
November11-15/2014
3
Reviewing Literature
November 15- 30/2014
4
Preparing the proposal
December 1/2014 - 30/2014
5
Thesis proposal submission to the dep’t
January 13, 2014
6
Thesis proposal defense
January 30, 2014
7
Final draft thesis proposal submission to
February 20, 2014
the department
8
Data collection, analysis and report
March1-30, 2014
writing
9
First draft thesis report submission to
March 30, 2019
advisor
10
Final draft thesis report submission to
April 15, 2019
the department
11
Thesis defense
April 20-22, 2019
21
Remark
3.10. Budget Allocation for the study
No Item
Quantity
Unit price
Total price
I. Stationary
1
photo copy
1500
1
1500
2
Pen
30
5
150
3
Stapler and staples
2
75
150
5
Data collector
1000
1000
II. Other Materials
1
Tape recorder
1
500
500
3
Camera
1
1500
1500
5
Typing and printing
1500
1
1500
III.Transportation & communication expenses
1
Transportation
300
2
4000
4
Internet fee
-
-
1000
5
Mobile card
-
-
1000
Total
12300 birrs
22
References
Bell, K.C., (2007) “Good Governance in Land Administration”, FIG Working Week, Hong
Kong, China SAR, May 13-17, 2007.
Berhanu, A. and Feyera, A., (2005) Land registration in Amhara Region, Ethiopian. Russell
press, Nottingham, UK.
Carrington, W., Debuse, J. and Lee, H., (2008), the Theory of Governance & Accountability.
The University of Iowa Center for International Finance and Development May
2008.
Cosmas, T.M., (2013) ‘Towards Good Land Governance in Tanzania? The Case of Urban
Mbeya’, MA thesis, Institution of Social Study, Nether land.
Daniel Behailu and Adisu Kasa ( 2018) Land Governance in Ethiopia: Towards Evaluating
Global Trends The Journal of Social Sciences Research Vol. 4, Issue. 3, pp: 3546, 2018 URL: http://arpgweb.com/?ic=journal&journal=7&info=aims
Dinka, T., Girma, D. & Ermias, A., (2016) “An Assessment of the Challenges and Prospects of
Good Urban Governance Practice in the Land Administration System: Case of
Shambu Town, Oromia Region, Ethiopia”, Journal of Good Governance and
Sustainable Development in Africa, Vol. 3, No 3, December, 2016.
FDRE (1995) the Constitution of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. Proclamation
No.1/1995. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
FDRE Negarit Gazeta (2005) Federal Democratic of Ethiopia Rural Land Administration and
Land Use, Proclamation 456/2005, 11th year No.44, Addis Abeba-15th July,
Ethiopia. Grindle, (2010). Good Governance: The Inflation of an Idea, Faculty
Research Working Paper Series, and Harvard Kennedy School
Mulugeta, D.G., (2012) ‘Decentralization in Ethiopia: Concept and Process, the Case of Dendi
District, West Shoa Zone of Oromia ‘, Dr.rer. Pol. Degree Dissertation, Faculty of
Spatial Planning, Technische University Dortmund, Dortmund, GERMANY.
23
Parigi, V.K., Geeta, P., and Kailasa, R., (2004) Ushering in Transparency for GoodGovernance,
Center for Good Governance, Hyderabad.
Popoola, F., (2011) “Governance crisis in Nigeria: An empirical analysis of co-production as
Panacea for service delivery”, International Journal of Business and Social
Science Vol. 2 No. 16, September 2011.
Proclamation No. 456/2005 Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Rural Land
Administration and Land Use Proclamation... Page 3133
Samsudin, S., Lay-Cheng, J., and McCLuskey, W., (2014) Decentralization and Good
Governance in Land Administration Systems.
Swaranjothi, 2009, ‘Good governance, public accountability and audit ‘, The 4th ASOSAI
Symposium.
UN (2007) Good Governance Practices for the Protection of Human Rights, New-York and
Geneva: UN Publication.
United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) (2017) Land Governance: A
Review and Analysis of Key International Frameworks: SECURING LAND
AND PROPERTY RIGHTS FOR ALL
WB (2006) Public Sector Governance and Accountability Series: Local Governance in
Developing Countries, Washington, DC: The World Bank.
Weldeabrha, N., (2017) “Decentralized Good Governance in Rural Land Administration”,
International Journal of Engineering Development and Research Volume 5, Issue
2, pp132-142.
WORLD-BANK 2012. Options for Strengthening Land Administration in Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia, Washington D.C., and World Bank Report No: 61631-ET.
24
Yigremew, A., (2002) Review of land holding system and policies in Ethiopia under different
regimes, Ethiopia economic policy research center institute, Work paper No
5/2002.
25
Appendix A
Salale University
College of Social Sciences and Humanities Department of Civics and Ethical Studies
Dear respondents,
The objective of the study is to collect reliable data related to practice and challenge in rural land
governance of Kuyu Woreda. To conduct this study, participation of the service providers and
householders have a great role.. Therefore, Your participation and responses will have interesting
contribution for purpose of the research in order to improve
practice and challenge in the
Woreda and to recommending policies concerning to governance matter. This study is
conducting for partial fulfillment of the requirement for MA degree in Civics and Ethical studies.
Thanks in advance for your time and collaboration!
N,B.

No need of writing name

Put mark to your agreed option and write your opinion to open ended questions on the
space provided
A. Background of respondents
1. Sex:
A. Male
2. Age:
A. 18-24
B. Female
B .25-40
C.41-60
D. >60
3. Education level
A. Never enrolled in school
D. Grade 9 to12
B. Grade 1 to 6
C. Grade 7 to 8
E. Certificate to Diploma
F. Degree and above
Part one: Questionnaires for householder regarding to current practice of land governance
1. Is there rule and regulationthat you know about land governance 1. Yes
2. No
For the following statements which describe land governance. Put (√) mark to your level of
agreement based on the given likert scale point
Rating scales: A. strongly agrees: 5
B. Agree: 4 C. uncertain: 3
26
D. Disagree: 2 E. strongly disagree: 1
NO Questions
Rating Scales
5
1
Kebele service provider
rules and procedures of the land
governance office are clear.
2
Kebele service providers’ decision about land governance is
open to the public.
3
Kebele service providers decisions in relation to land
governance is made based clear rules and regulations.
4
The kebele service providers have adequate know-how
about the rule, regulation, directives and proclamation of
land governance.
5
The service providers make clear (create awareness) to the
public
when
new
land
laws,
proclamations
and
policies
are
rules,
regulations,
adopted
before
implementing.
6
The community has adequate awareness on the laws, rules
and regulation regarding to land governance.
7
kebele office of land governance have suggestion box to
handling grievances.
8
The articles and sub articles of the proclamation about land
governance clearly known.
9
The grievance/complainants concerning issue of land is
solved based on existing rule and regulation, law and policy
of land .
10
The land distribution practice is fair with the criteria stated
in the proclamations and directives and is based on the
practically manner to the people.
11
kebele land is given for investment in clear and open
27
4
3
2
1
manner and in accordance with lease proclamation .
12
In kebele level the compensation practice is transparent.
13
The kebele service providers are supportive of the fight
against illegal control of land.
14
The distribution of land in your kebelle is fair.
15. Are there challenges to the prevalence of good governance in your woreda? If yes, list
A. Yes
B. No
__________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
16. What can you say about the contribution of community in strengthening of practically in
rural farmland governance?
Part two: Questionnaires for householder regarding to land governance
NO
Questions
Rating Scales
5
1
The
service
providers
and
governors
of
land
administration office exercise lawful power.
2
The governance leaders and service provider’s are
confident while discharging their responsibility.
3
The governance leader and service provider’s are
committed to high standards of professional conducts and
principles.
4
Decision making process is independent from political
criteria.
5
land conflicts occur due to poor decision of service
providers.
6
The service users satisfaction by the decisions of the
office.
7
Government and service providers are answerable for
28
4
3
2
1
their actions and decisions to the public.
8
The government officials and service providers are free
from biases.
9
The service providers and leader commit corruption
10
The rural land governance evaluate in terms of practice
11
The woreda
rural land governance office takes
measurement when its workers are not abided by its rules
and regulations
12
The kebele service providers follow the decisions of
higher authorized body.
13
The community have an opportunity to appeal to higher
body when you are unsatisfied by the land governance
office
14. Are the challenges to the prevalence of practically in your woreda? If yes, list
A. Yes
B. No
______________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
15. What can you say about the contribution of community in strengthening of practically in
rural land of governance?
29
Appendix B
Salale University
College of Social Science and Humanities Department of Civics and Ethical Studies
Interview Guide
Interview guide for the service providers and governor on the issues of the practice and
challenges of rural land governance in Kuyu Woreda. .
1. What is the condition of practice and challenge in your Woreda land governance? Please
explain
2. What do you think are the problems of practice and challenge your Woreda rural land
governance? Please explain
4. Do you have complete and adequate records of data regarding to land issues? Please explain
5. Do you believe the service users have enough access to information about the declaration,
rules, policies, procedures, principles and standards of land? Please explain
6. How can you evaluate your Woreda land governance in terms of practically and challenge?
Why?
7. What do you think are the major obstacles of practically and challenge in land governance?
Please explain your justification
8. What are the contributions of your office to improve practically and challenge in land
governance? Please explain
9. Are the decisions of public officials open to the stakeholders? Please how?
30
Appendix C
Salale University
College of Social Science and Humanities Department of Civics and Ethical Studies
Focused Group Discussion
Good Morning/Afternoon! Welcome to our group discussion.
I am Jenenew Mellese and I came from Gerbe Gurracha Secondary and preparatory School.
Now, we discuss about issues of practice and challenges in rural land governance in Kuyu
Woreda. Regardless right and wrong answer all questions need clearly and critically explain
from daily experience. The purpose of the research is for academic purpose only due to this you
should be point out your view without any doubt or fear. Your name will not be recorded
because it is relevant for the study.
1). Are there practice and challenges of in your Woreda land governance? Please explain
2) How do you minimize the obstacles of practice and challenge in land governance? Please
explain?
3. What is the level of satisfaction of the society by the day to day activities of the service
providers of rural land governance? Please explain
4. What are the main factors determine practice and challenge in your Woreda? Please explain
5. What do you think are the major factors or restraints of practically and challenge in office of
rural land governance? Please explain
6. Is there effort done by your kebele and Woreda governance to promote the practice of good
governance in the rural land governance? Please explain
General comment:- Your questionnaire seem on good track but I still advise you to view/take
into account your literature review while preparing your questionnaire. Your literature review is
very helpful to develop your proper questionnaire.
31