Land tenure is a crucial aspect of land reform and influences land management. Existing literature highlights the complexities of land tenure studies, particularly in developing countries where western-oriented economic approaches may not fully align with the context. This study focuses on Ethiopia, where rural households face significant challenges accessing farmland despite legal provisions. Ethiopia's land tenure has undergone three major transformations: the Imperial regime (pre-1974), the Derg military regime (1974-1991), and the current system since 1991. The Imperial regime featured the rist and gult systems, leading to land concentration among a few landowners and exploitative sharecropping arrangements in southern Ethiopia. The Derg's 'Land to the Tiller' reform nationalized land, but unforeseen consequences, including farmland fragmentation and reduced productivity, led to its downfall. The current system, established in 1995, maintains state ownership but allows access through government allocation, inheritance, gift, and leasing, prohibiting sale, exchange, or mortgage. While the government argues this prevents land concentration, critics contend it hinders security and efficiency. Existing literature suggests the current tenure system has not adequately addressed the farmland shortage, with a significant portion of households farming on less than one hectare. This study aims to assess the effects of the current land tenure on household farmland access in the Arsi zone of Ethiopia, a region where land redistribution has been limited, considering factors such as household farmland size, perceptions of the tenure system's legitimacy, and determinants of farmland access.

The literature review examines existing research on land tenure in Ethiopia and its impact on household farmland access. Studies have shown a wide range of average farmland sizes across different regions and countries, highlighting Ethiopia's relatively small average farmland size. The existing literature confirms the ongoing debate on the effectiveness of the current land tenure system in addressing the acute farmland shortage. Several studies point to a high percentage of rural households operating on less than one hectare of land, indicating significant land scarcity. Other researches highlight the variations in farmland size across different agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia. The review emphasizes the need for further empirical evidence to understand the effects of the current land tenure on household farmland access, particularly in regions like Arsi where land redistribution has been incomplete. The review underscores the impact of demographic factors (age, gender, household size, education), socioeconomic factors (oxen ownership, crop production, income, credit access), and institutional factors (land tenure type, government policies) on farmland access.

This study employed a concurrent mixed-methods research design, collecting both quantitative and qualitative data concurrently. The study area was Arsi zone, Oromia Region, Southeast Ethiopia, selected purposively due to its known challenges in household farmland access. A multi-stage sampling technique was used, combining purposive and probability sampling. Three districts (Dodota, Hitosa, and Tiyo) were purposively selected, reflecting the diversity of agro-ecological zones. Two rural kebeles (the lowest administrative units) were randomly selected from each district. A sample size of 314 households was calculated using Kothari's (2004) formula, adjusted to account for potential non-response. Systematic random sampling was used to select households from the kebele administration's sample frames. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews. Quantitative data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS and Stata, including descriptive statistics, Pearson chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and a Heckman two-stage sample selection model to account for the potential endogeneity of explanatory variables. Qualitative data from the FGDs and key informant interviews were analyzed thematically. Ethical considerations were addressed throughout the research process, including obtaining informed consent and ensuring anonymity.

The study revealed imbalanced farmland access across demographic groups and agro-ecological zones. The mean farmland size was 1.59 ha, with male-headed households (1.62 ha) having slightly larger farms than female-headed households (1.50 ha). A statistically significant association was found between gender and farmland access (p<0.01), with male household heads more likely to access land through various tenure arrangements. Older age groups held significantly larger farms than younger age groups. Household size was positively correlated with farmland size, while education level showed a weak negative correlation. The distribution of farmland sizes varied across agro-ecological zones, with the Kolla zone showing significantly larger mean farmland sizes compared to the Dega and Woina-Dega zones. Oxen ownership was positively associated with farmland size, indicating that greater livestock holdings facilitate access to larger plots. Total crop production and annual income were positively and significantly correlated with farmland size, signifying the role of productive capacity and financial resources in accessing land. Access to credit also exhibited a positive relationship with farmland size. Land tenure arrangements varied, with government allocation (41.9%), inheritance (25.8%), and gift (22.5%) being the most common. The study revealed significant illegal land transactions disguised as gifts, particularly in urban areas. A substantial portion of respondents (63%) viewed the current land tenure system as ineffective in addressing farmland access issues. The Heckman two-stage regression model indicated that number of oxen, total crop production, annual income, and access to credit were significant predictors of household farmland size, while education was negatively correlated with farmland size.

The findings highlight the limitations of Ethiopia's current land tenure system in ensuring equitable and sufficient farmland access. The gender disparity in farmland ownership points to the need for targeted interventions to empower female-headed households. The prevalence of illegal land transactions underscores the need for stronger enforcement of existing regulations and improved land governance. The positive correlation between productive capacity (crop production) and income with farmland size reinforces the role of economic factors in land access. The negative correlation between education and farmland size requires further investigation, as it may reflect historical patterns of land allocation. The study's findings contribute to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the complexities of land access in a specific region of Ethiopia, contributing valuable insights for policymakers and researchers. The results highlight the interaction between demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional factors in shaping farmland access patterns.

This study reveals significant challenges in ensuring equitable and sufficient farmland access in the Arsi zone of Ethiopia. The current land tenure system has limitations, particularly regarding gender equity and the prevalence of illegal land transactions. Empowering women, supporting young farmers, strengthening land governance, and improving land distribution mechanisms are crucial for addressing these challenges. Future research should examine longitudinal impacts of land policies, explore alternative land tenure arrangements, and further investigate the complex interplay between socioeconomic factors and land access.

The study's reliance on a single round of household surveys limits its ability to capture the dynamic nature of land access. The cross-sectional nature of the data makes it challenging to establish causal relationships definitively. The study's focus on one region of Ethiopia might not be fully generalizable to other contexts within the country. Data collection was affected by unrest in the study area, which might have influenced response rates and data quality.