Assessing the uptake of sustainable land management programs towards improved land management, tenure security, food security, and agricultural production: evidence from South Wello, Ethiopia

The critical development challenge for millions of rural Ethiopians revolves around the convergence of land management, rights, and utilization. This issue is exacerbated by water scarcity, food insecurity, uncertain land tenure, and livelihood instability, all heightened by the impacts of climate variability and lack of peace and instability. The implications of land degradation and tenure insecurity pose significant challenges to food security in Ethiopia. Land degradation, characterized by the deterioration of the quality of soil and its productive capacity, hampers agricultural productivity. This, in turn, affects the nation's ability to produce sufficient food to meet the needs of its population. Tenure insecurity, or uncertainty regarding land rights, further worsens the situation. When individuals or communities lack secure land tenure, they may be hesitant to invest in sustainable land management practices. This leads to suboptimal land use, reduced investments in soil conservation, and overall inefficiencies in agricultural practices. The combined consequences of land degradation and tenure insecurity contributed to a heightened risk of food insecurity in Ethiopia. Insufficient agricultural productivity, coupled with uncertainties surrounding land ownership, creates a precarious environment where communities may struggle to access adequate food. Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering sustainable agriculture and ensuring food security for the Ethiopian population.
Since 2000, the Government of Ethiopia (GoE), in collaboration with Development Partners (DPs), has spearheaded the Sustainable Land Management Program, tasked with coordinating sectors, mobilizing resources, and fostering partnerships. The Sustainable Land Management program was executed in the South Wello Zone of the Amhara region, found at the epicenter of the country's famine- prone belt. This region has been severely affected by drought, with a range of factors contributing to ongoing food insecurity. Despite extensive research on SLM and land certification in the South Wello Zone, these studies have not effectively demonstrated the connections among LULCCs, land conservation, tenure security, and food security, which are the focal points of this research.
The research aimed to depict the impact SLM and land certification on LULCCs, land preservation, tenure security, and food security. In the pursuit of this objective, four specific goals were anchors of the research, with each one accompanied by details outlining its corresponding sub-objectives.
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The aim of the first sub-objective focuses on examining Land Use and Land Cover Changes (LULCC) in the study area over a 20-year periods. Noteworthy observations included agricultural expansion and settlements encroaching on forests, driven by factors such as population pressure, landlessness, and diminishing farm plots. Nevertheless, the analysis discovered that the initiatives attempted on restoring vegetation and changing the environment by enhancing eco- system services. The study underscored the ineffectiveness of free labor campaigns in addressing environmental challenges, highlighting the minimal involvement of the local community in the planning, reviewing, implementation, and result-monitoring stages. Consequently, the lack of community engagement eroded the sense of ownership that community members initially had toward the schemes.
The second specific objective of the research focused on reviewing the land preservation uptake. According to the findings of the research, farmers were driven to participate in SWC activities by various pivotal factors, including extreme weather conditions, the existence of SWC programs, declining soil fertility, as well as diminishing sizes of farm plots. Besides, most respondents believe that instances of land degradation are frequent. These elements collectively motivated farmers to invest in SWC, and this, in turn helped them to enhance yields on limited and scarce land they owe. Most popular SWCPs in the area were identified by considering their suitability and level of acceptance based on social, economic, and ecological indicators constructed from farm-level variables collected from literature and the community. Findings highlight the effectiveness of physical measures. Constraints of the uptake include lack of tenure security and poor community participation. Similarly, the program's overall efficacy is impeded by the uniform application of SWCPs without considering bio- physical features, neglecting factors such as material availability, slope, soil type, existing indigenous knowledge, and the wider socio- economic context.
The third sub-objective identified a positive correlation between land certification and various outcomes, including a decrease in land disputes and an increase in the adoption of SWCPs. Remarkably, community-managed conflict resolution platforms were identified as both unique and effective. When land-related conflicts arose, the community demonstrated an adept mechanism for managing and resolving these disputes through cultural and religious arrangements. Research findings also revealed a reduction in the number of cases brought to court since the commencement of two rounds of land certification programs. The findings underscore the constructive impact
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of legally protected land rights on sustainable land management, land disputes, and agricultural productivity.
In the end, the fourth sub-objective looked at the food security situations of households who took part in SLMP. A considerable proportion of households were found to be experiencing food insecurity. As the area is mostly dependent on rain-fed farming and vulnerable to a range of natural and man-made calamities, including crop pests, fluctuation in rainfall, and land degradation, the government should pay attention to addressing such calamities. The problem is further exacerbated by elements such as significant land degradation, steep slopes, low soil quality, few off-farm alternatives, and scarcity of land, inadequate inputs, and a lack of credit. Households use coping mechanisms, including cutting back on meal portions and looking for non-farm work.
While agricultural expansion driven by population pressure poses challenges to land use and cover, the study reveals that community engagement is crucial for the success of land conservation efforts. The effectiveness of SWCPs is evident in enhancing yields, but challenges such as limited cooperation, lack of tenure security and uniform application SWCPs across agro ecologies hindered the overall success. On a positive note, the research establishes a positive correlation between land certification and reduced land disputes, increased SWCP adoption, and improved agricultural productivity. However, a considerable proportion of households participating in SLMP still experience food insecurity due to various factors. The overarching question is, how to further enhance the synergy between sustainable land management, land tenure security, and food security in Ethiopia, considering the multifaceted challenges faced by communities and the need for a comprehensive, community-centered approach.
The researcher aspires other researchers to undertake parallel research focusing on gender and tenure security and the role of local institutions in reducing land-related disputes; disparity in the acquisition of food at household and individual levels, and trends in the improvement of crop productivity based on the crop data obtained from farm plots and the desire of farming community regarding the alteration or amendments of the existing tenure system. The study's conclusions offer insightful information for future research, development interventions, and policy. Suggestions focus on community-based and sustainable methods, tackling issues related to food security, land usage, preservation, and certification.