ADDIS ABABA – Senior agricultural economists have voiced optimism about Ethiopia’s national agricultural transformation plan following the government’s adoption of a reformed rural land administration proclamation.
This reform allows landowners to use their land as a fixed asset, a move expected to drive the commercialization and mechanization of agriculture, which accounts for the largest share of Ethiopia’s GDP.
Speaking at the annual conference of the Agricultural Economics Society of Ethiopia, the Society’s President Endeshaw Habtie (PhD) emphasized that the previous land policy, while central to Ethiopia’s socio-economic and political landscape for decades, hindered agricultural transformation.
“The land policy adopted 50 years ago aimed to support agricultural and food system transformation pathways. Since then, key government policies and strategies have been amended to align with these goals,” Endeshaw stated.
He added that food and nutrition remain top priorities for the government, and agricultural initiatives need to be bolstered further. However, challenges in commercialization and mechanization persist under the previous policy framework.
“Land is a fixed asset, yet its use faces competing demands from manufacturing, infrastructure, and ecosystem services. With a growing population, modern land administration is critical to transforming the food system,” Endeshaw noted.
The Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA) Deputy Director General Frew Tegegn (PhD) stressed the urgent need for modern applications and professionalism in Ethiopia’s land administration and food systems. “ATA has conducted extensive research on these challenges. Studies underscore the necessity of improved professionalism and coordination. Reforms must be backed by educated farmers and sectorial experts, ”Frew said.
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) Senior Advisor Getachew Diriba (PhD) outlined the history and challenges of Ethiopia’s land administration system over the past five decades. The new rural land administration proclamation, he noted, is a significant step forward.
“This reform empowers farmers to use their land as collateral and engage in land transactions, enhancing their access to financial services, including credit. The aim is to foster agricultural commercialization and mechanization,” Getachew explained.
Reflecting on the past, Getachew remarked, “The land-to-tenure revolution achieved fair distribution of land but left everyone equally poor. It failed to modernize farming practices, and this trend persisted until these recent reforms.”
He expressed optimism about the new proclamation, emphasizing that farmers will now have better access to financing. This, in turn, will enable investments in agricultural inputs and technologies, revitalizing resource utilization and driving transformation in the agricultural sector.
The reformed proclamation, coupled with ongoing efforts by the government and agricultural agencies, is expected to reshape Ethiopia’s agricultural landscape and support the country’s broader economic goals.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER 2024
