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