Tigray National Regional State's Rural Land Usage Proclamation No. 23/1997. Country/Territory Ethiopia Territorial subdivision Tigray Document type Legislation Date 1997 Source FAO, FAOLEX Original source Negarit Gazeta of Tigray, No. 23, March 1997, 9 pp. Subject Agricultural & rural development, Land & soil, Water Keyword Farming Agricultural development Agricultural land Land reform Land tenure Traditional rights/customary rights Institution Ownership Irrigation Servitude Geographical area Africa, Eastern Africa, Landlocked Developing Nations, Least Developed Countries, Sahel Abstract This Proclamation lays down rules relative to the ownership and use of land in the National State of Tigray. Land is declared to be ”joint property” of the State and can not be sold, exchanged, given in lease or as bond for an indefinite time. Farmers may use land in their possession under conditions as set out in this Proclamation. The actual state of land is declared to be ”accepted” under the present Proclamation. Farmers can give their land in lease under article 7. Article 8 concerns the lease of state land. Article 9 contains rules relative the cultivation and either use of land, whereas article 10 concerns the growing of trees on cultivated land. Land will be administered by Councils at all levels in accordance with article 11. Article 16 deals with inheritance. Grazing shall be carried out in accordance with tradition and provisions laid down in article 18. Article 19 finally provides for usage relating to the use of water form water reservoirs, whether natural or constructed. Full text English