A History of Land Tenure and Agriculture in Wallagga (1941-1991)
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This dissertation discusses agrarian histmy of Wallaggafi'om 1941 t01991. As the center piece
of the dissertation using available primwy and secondwy sources the study argues that
following the expulsion of the italians ji-om Ethiopia the restored Emperor issued a
proclamation in which he openly outlawed the gabbar system. it examines how the reform failed
to bring any change on the life of the landless peasants who continued to be exploited and
oppressed by their land lords. The study investigates agricultural development in the region
which had many shortcomings and problems. One major problem was the land tenure system.
Land ownership particularly by the absentees reduced the incentives of the farmers. The
peasants felt insecure on the land not only because they could be evicted at any time but also
land taxes may increase from year to year. The study also reconstructs that both the peasant
rebellions and the Balabats demonstrations were the direct outcomes of the intricate land tenure
system that had prevailed in Wallagga since Menilek 's conquest of the region. 1nthe 1950s the
reasons for the pressing need of "land remeasurement" were diverse and complicated. Sources
substantiate that the state had embarked on controlling vast tracts of virgin land through land
remeasurement. As an integral part of the landownership issue shortage of food was becoming a
serious problem particularly in the coffee growing areas such as Anfliloo and Gimbii in the
1950s and 1960s. The combined effect o/food shortage as a result of callie diseases, population
increase and the absence of transportation to supply food crops ji-om SUl1Jlus producing areas
intensified the demand for grain production and this made technological change in farming
imperative. Therefore, commercial farmers who owned tractors emerged in the region. By the
middle of the 1980s, all strata of the society which had expected solution ji-om the 1974
revolution were disappointed. [n 1984 there was a widespread food shortage in the country. The
research area was also affected by food shortage mainly due to the state's extraction, the
appropriations of the AMC, and the ji-equent meetings held to estoblish collectivization and
enforce Villagization at the e).pense of farming and harvesting. The general dissatisfaction
created by unpopular land and agricultural policies even after the slogan of "Land to the Tiller "
was effected did not change the conditions. This paved the wayfor the fall of the regime in 1991.
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History of Land Tenure and Agriculture