An Investigation into Land Grabbing and Community Response in Amhara National Regional State, Guagusa Woreda, Ayehu Farm

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate into land grabbing and community response in Amhara National Regional State, Guagusa Woreda, Ayehu farm project: Challenges and prospects. The study employed an explanatory research design using mixed research (quantitative and qualitative research approaches) to conduct the study and achieve the purpose. The total population of the study included the farming communities, kebele leaders, development agents (DAs) and key individuals in the study area. In all, 342 samples involved in the study of which 310 were farming communities, 8 were kebele leaders and DAs as well as 24 were key individuals. Data were collected using questionnaires from the farming communities, interview from kebele leaders and DAs and focus group discussions (FGDs) from key individuals as well as field observation. The quantitative data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using frequency count (numbers), percentage, mean scores and standard deviation. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed in accordance with objectives of the study. Findings showed that government’s privatization policy, excess agricultural land which is fertile and conducive for large scale farm and being private investors attracted by the soil fertility with the mean scores obtained above (3.00) were regarded as the initiating factors of land grabbing. While keeping the environment, improving infrastructures, achieving sustainable economic growth, modernizing the backward farming and ensuring food security with the mean scores obtained below (3.00) were not regarded as the initiating factors of land grabbing in Ayehu Guagusa woreda. Besides, the study showed that there is currently no good relationship between the local community and the government on existing conditions of Ayehu farm land. Moreover, the study showed that loss of farm land, destruction of social institutions and cultural heritages, displacement, change of life pattern and life insecurity were the social impacts of the farm on the local community. Change of land use, shortage of farmland, landlessness, unemployment, labour exploitation, lack of livelihood and poverty were the economic impacts of the farm. Destruction of forests, pollution of rivers, soil erosion, change in geographical pattern and loss of wild animals were the environmental impacts of Ayehu farm land on the local community. Findings also showed that farm’s further expansion, shortage of land for livestock, income insufficiency, farm’s waste emissions and local natural resources being occupied by the farm were challenges that the community faced due to Ayehu farm. It is generally concluded that the community has no positive response to Ayehu farm as they felt that their voices had been ignored and being challenged due to the farm’s expansion. Hence, there is an urgent need for the government towards making an intervention action to hear the local community to fairly make a solution.