Implications of Land Deals to Livelihood Security and Natural Resource Management in Benshanguel Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia

By Maru Shete

The Federal Government of Ethiopia (FGE) is leasing out large tracts of arable lands both to domestic and foreign investors in different parts of the country where land is relatively abundant. While the FGE justifies that it is part of the country’s strategy to achieve food security objective, critics have been forwarded from different directions. This research aims at studying the implications of land deals to livelihood security and natural resource management in Benshanguel Gumuz Regional State. Exploratory study was done and data were collected through interviewing 150 farm households in two districts of the region. Key informants interview and focus group discussions were also held to generate required data. Primary data were complemented with secondary data sources. Preliminary findings suggest that there is poor coordination, monitoring and support of investment activities from federal, regional and district levels, weak capacity of domestic investors, accelerated degradation of forest resources, and threatened livelihood security of community members.