Benishangul Gumz Regional State Rural Land Administration and Use Proclamation No. 85/2010. Country/Territory Ethiopia Territorial subdivision Benishangul-Gumuz Document type Legislation Date 2010 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Livestock, Environment gen., Forestry, Land & soil, Water, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Agricultural development Smallholders/peasants Pastoralism Farming Ecosystem preservation Soil conservation/soil improvement Soil rehabilitation Erosion Forestry protection measures Afforestation/reforestation Forest management/forest conservation Basic legislation Land reform Land tenure Agricultural land Ownership Land-use planning Dispute settlement Gender Expropriation Liability/compensation Common property Community management Grazing Sustainable development Water rights Water conservation zone Irrigation Biodiversity Geographical area Africa, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries, Sahel Abstract This Proclamation of the Benishangul Gumz Regional State shall apply to any rural land found in the region. It mainly is concerned with land rights land use and administration of rural lands. Land is declared the common property of the state and people and it shall not be subjected to sale or other means of exchange. Any peasant who legally resides in the region shall have the right to hold land irrespective of gender or any other discrimination. Land administration shall be implemented through community participation. Rural land shall not be expropriated unless to use for public services. Any peasant of 18 years or older who wants to be engaged in agricultural sector shall have the right to acquire land freely from the land administrator of his or her Kebele. Private investors shall have the right to acquire land, to use on, by rent from the government or from any other rural land holder based on the agreement to be made. Any peasant who possesses s land holding right shall be provided with a land holding certificate those who lost holding rights shall obtain a return holding certificate. Full text English