Understanding how local community participation and FPIC norms function in the context of land acquisition for agricultural investment in Ethiopia: Insights for responsible land governance

Achamyeleh Gashu Adam, Alelegn Wendem Agegnehu, Amare Sewunet Minale

Large scale land acquisitions for agricultural investments are increasing faster than ever before in the sub-Saharan African counties including Ethiopia. As a founding principle of responsible land tenure governance, engaging with and seeking the support of the local community members prior to land acquisition decisions is very essential to safeguard their land rights and livelihood options. Obtaining free, prior and informed consent from local community members affected by land acquisition decisions is advisable to ensure the sustainability of the agricultural investment project. However, little research has been conducted on how community participation and consent norms function in relation to land acquisition in Ethiopia. Thus, this study aims to offer analytical understanding of how local community participation particularly free, prior and informed consent norms function in process of land acquisition for agricultural investment. Descriptive research approach by using both qualitative and quantitative data was employed to achieve the purpose of this study. The results of this study show that little emphasis has been given to seek local community’s free, prior and informed consent in relation to land acquisition for agricultural investment in Ethiopia. The practice of land acquisition largely failed to operate in accordance with the international and national norms of community participation and consultation. This study, finally, concludes that the practices of land acquisitions are weakly linked to the principles of responsible land governance and local community participation which in turn has been deterring to practice of inclusive decision making process and realize sustainable agricultural investment in Ethiopia.

Event: World Bank Land Conference 2024 - Washington

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Document type:Understanding how local community participation and FPIC norms function in the context of land acquisition for agricultural investment in Ethiopia: Insights for responsible land governance (1169 kB - pdf)