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The impact of urbanization on farmers: Analysis for Ethiopia

The objective of this research is to assess the socio-economic impacts of urban expansion on the displaced farmers with particular reference to Bole and Akaki-kality sub-cities of Addis Ababa City Administration, Ethiopia. Problems associated with farmers' awareness, compensation, resettlement, socio-economic circumstances and the measures taken to address the problems are investigated. In assessing the impacts of the relocation, a sample of 165 displaced farmers were selected randomly form the two sub-cities. The assessment results show that meagre compensation, resettlement, and adjustments problems are major challenges encountered the farmers. Their income had diminished while coping costs risen. Lack of business skills to start new venture has also been a formidable challenge facing the farmers and their family members. Even though the government lately recognized the situation and taking measures to redress the challenges, there are still outstanding problems to be tackled. To mitigate the challenges, the city government has to revisit the approaches used to evict, relocate and rehabilitate the farmers. In this regard, transparency in the decisions for the displacement must be ensured and the decision on the amount of the compensation versus the expropriated land and properties must be fair. If dislocation is mandatory, the rehabilitation of the farmers and their family members must be properly planned and executed in a way that the farmers should be better off than worsening their livelihoods.


Citation: 

Abagissa, J., & Goshu, G. (2022). The impact of urbanization on farmers: Analysis for Ethiopia. ASERC Journal of Socio-Economic Studies, 5(1), 47-69. DOI:10.30546/2663-7251.2022.5.1.47