Abstract:
The objective of this study looks at the challenges and opportunities of land registration and certification in Mirab Abaya Woreda. It also looks the current status of land registration and certification program and policy related gap of land registration and certification. Primary data was collected through survey questionnaire, group discussion, key informant interview and field observation, while secondary data were collected from governmental organizations. Sample kebeles were selected by proportionality from all agro ecological zones. The data were analyzed by using qualitative techniques (verbal description), statistical analyses and correlation analysis. The results showed that Lack of awareness on the benefit of land certification, Lack of transference, inadequate finical source, and Border conflict with neighbor kebels were the challenges of land registration and certification in the wereda. However, in response to the opportunities of land registration and certification, certainty on land ownership, to transfer, for planed usage of land, protecting boundaries, to get legal loan, holding responsibly, increasing investments in land, sustainable management of land, were agreed as the major opportunities/potential advantages/ of land certification. In addition, land border conflicts of farmland are decreased and the vulnerable group of society especially women land rights are protected as a result of holding certificate. Moreover, there was low productivity of farmbecause of increasing price of inputs such as fertilizer and low awareness for certificate as collateral /guarantee/ to the financial institute and can get credits to buy farm inputs. In general, the findings of the study demonstrate that the feeling of challenges land certification is increasing through time, while land certification carried out has been achieving its intended objectives and is sustainably effective in improving investments on land management in the study wereda
