Role of rural land registration and certification in reducing border land disputes: a case study of Menz Gera Midir district in Amhara State of Ethiopia

In addition to securing property rights and agricultural development, land registration and certification has been perceived as an important means for reducing border disputes. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of rural land registration and certification program in reducing border disputes in Menz Gera Midir District, in Amhara State. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, interview of farmers and experts of the court and focus group discussions. About five hundred households were taken as sample population for the questionnaire. A total of four hundred twenty households were participated in the focus group discussions. About fifty individuals were interviewed. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively; whereas data collected through focus group discussions and interviews were compiled, summarized and interpreted qualitatively by cross checking with responses of questionnaires. The findings of this study confirm that in Menz Gera Midir District rural land registration and certification program contributes more for the reduction of border disputes.