Household perceptions of parcel-based cadaster mapping in land conflict management and rural land transactions in Ethiopia

Rural land administration systems play an important role in strengthening tenure security, managing land-related conflicts, and facilitating land transactions. In Ethiopia, the Second-Level Land Certification (SLLC) program introduced parcel-based cadastral mapping to improve the documentation and administration of rural land rights. This study examined household perceptions of parcel-based cadastral mapping in relation to tenure security, land conflict management, and rural land transactions in West Belessa District, Ethiopia. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a household survey of 277 households with questionnaires administered to land administration personnel, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary review. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with Cramér’s V were used to examine household perceptions and unadjusted associations, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that 62.1% of households perceived increased tenure security and 71.7% perceived a reduction in land-related conflicts following cadastral implementation. Regarding land transactions, 62.1% perceived transactions as easier or more secure, 52.7% perceived improved transparency, and 59.6% reported clearer and more effective transfer processes. However, substantial proportions did not perceive improvement, particularly in transparency and trust, where 47.7% reported no improvement. None of the surveyed households reported successfully obtaining formal credit using landholding certificates, indicating a gap between formal land-right documentation and its practical use in rural financial services. Overall, the findings suggest that households perceived improvements in selected dimensions of land administration, but these perceptions were uneven and associated with institutional capacity, awareness, trust, and linkages with financial institutions. The findings provide context-specific insights into cadastral implementation in West Belessa District. Given the cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported and retrospective perceptions, and single-district setting, the findings should not be interpreted as causal or broadly representative of rural Ethiopia.