Land Registration vis-a-vis Inheritance Disputes: The Case of Menz Gera Midir District, Amhara State, Ethiopia

Abstract

In addition to securing property rights and agricultural development, land registration and certification has been perceived as an important means for reducing inheritance disputes. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of rural land registration and certification program in reducing inheritance disputes in Menz Gera Midir District in Amhara State. Data for this study were collected through questionnaire, case studies, interview of farmers and experts of the court and focus group discussions. About three hundred households were taken as sample population for the questionnaire. A total of three hundred eight households were participated in the focus group discussions. About thirty five individuals were interviewed. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed quantitatively; whereas data collected through focus group discussions, case studies 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 reduced inheritance disputes.

Keywords: Rural land registration and certification, bequeath, inheritance, inheritance disputes