Submissions Accepted for Presentation at the World Bank Land Conference 2024

The study assessed the effect of integrated and substitutable soil fertility management technologies on maize yield, productivity and food security of smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. As the MESR model result revealed, adoption of at least one soil fertility management technology has a huge potential of improving rural households’ wellbeing through an increased yield, productivity and food security. The investigation result further revealed, from the three adoption combinations of integrated and substitutable soil fertility management technologies, lonely adoption of organic fertilizer and joint adoption of the two technology groups was found to have a significant effect on maize yield, productivity and food security. Unlikely, the isolated adoption of inorganic fertilizer may not result in an intended food security outcome. Thus, for the simultaneous improvement in maize yield, productivity and food security, the study recommends to concentrate either on the joint practice of the two technologies or organic fertilizer alone.

Climate change poses significant risks, manifesting in extreme weather events, armed conflicts, and economic instability, hindering sustainable livelihoods. Land tenure challenges impede the adoption of climate-smart agriculture in rural areas. This research explores the impact of land tenure systems and institutional factors on low-emission food systems (LEFS) adoption. Investigating secure land tenure, optimal land size, resource access equity, collaborative land governance, and climate-conscious land use planning, the study identifies mechanisms contributing to LEFS implementation. The findings offer valuable insights into land tenure's role in promoting sustainable livelihoods and resilient agriculture amid climate change challenges.

Agriculture is reported among the main causes of anthropogenic global warming. At the same time, it is profoundly impacted by climate change and concurrently holds potential as a solution through the sequestration of soil organic carbon (SOC) facilitated by Conservation Agriculture (CA). However, the findings in the literature are controversial on the SOC sequestration capacity and the profitability of CA implementation. Considering the new and old objectives of the sector, this paper tackles the assessment of the actual capabilities of CA to be a viable strategy to pursue the social good of climate change mitigation and concurrently be profitable for farmers. The economic profitability and environmental performance of CA are assessed analysing data from a field experiment in Northern Italy and identifying the best management practice.

In sub-Saharan African countries, development strategies focus on optimizing agricultural and forestry resources through collaboration with both foreign and domestic investors, aiming for economic development by integrating capital, technology, and market access. However, concerns arise about their impact on marginalized groups and the environment. We evaluated the legal and policy frameworks in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Mozambique to establish an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive land-based investments. Using literature reviews and content analysis, the research reveals inconsistent implementation of investment incentives and limited legal rights concerning land resources. Implications highlight the importance of legitimate land tenure systems, gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches, streamlined land acquisition processes, and heightened environmental awareness. The study concludes with policy recommendations for multi-stakeholder platforms, emphasizing transformative, green, and inclusive land investments, requiring the reconciliation of customary rights with formal legal land governance systems for a seamless integration of traditional practices and contemporary regulatory frameworks.