Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)

This study analyzes state-led resettlement initiatives and agricultural reforms in central Ethiopia during the Derg regime (1974–1991), focusing on the Dhaadallee-Harroollee settlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm. It investigates the demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of these...

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Main Authors: Hailu Gelana Erko, Tesema Ta’a Wayessa, Tsegaye Zeleke Tuffa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469458
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author Hailu Gelana Erko
Tesema Ta’a Wayessa
Tsegaye Zeleke Tuffa
author_facet Hailu Gelana Erko
Tesema Ta’a Wayessa
Tsegaye Zeleke Tuffa
author_sort Hailu Gelana Erko
collection DOAJ
description This study analyzes state-led resettlement initiatives and agricultural reforms in central Ethiopia during the Derg regime (1974–1991), focusing on the Dhaadallee-Harroollee settlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm. It investigates the demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of these policies. Utilizing qualitative data from oral histories, archival records, and existing literature, the research reveals systemic challenges that adversely affected the resettlement program. Despite the area’s rich potential for agriculture, agricultural productivity stagnated due to communal farming practices, resource scarcity, and settlers’ difficulties in adapting to new environments. Inexperienced labor, managerial inefficiencies, and recurrent labor shortages exacerbated low crop yields and food insecurity. The settlements also faced inadequate access to education, healthcare, clean water, and markets, compounded by endemic malaria. These deficiencies hindered sustainable livelihood development, despite the government’s attempts to mitigate them. Moreover, the Ethio-Yemen farm altered regional resettlement patterns, reflecting broader policy contradictions between centralized planning and local realities. The study, therefore, highlights how poor governance, agricultural support, and infrastructure inadequacies create vulnerabilities in Ethiopia. By examining these issues within the context of agrarian history, it contributes to discussions on forced migration and rural development, advocating for participatory and equity-focused resettlement policies.
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spelling doaj-art-90ddaf44e6774dc79d69a84337578f112025-08-20T03:21:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832025-12-0112110.1080/23311983.2025.2469458Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)Hailu Gelana Erko0Tesema Ta’a Wayessa1Tsegaye Zeleke Tuffa2Department of History and Heritage Management, Jimma University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of History, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of History and Heritage Management, Jimma University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaThis study analyzes state-led resettlement initiatives and agricultural reforms in central Ethiopia during the Derg regime (1974–1991), focusing on the Dhaadallee-Harroollee settlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm. It investigates the demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental impacts of these policies. Utilizing qualitative data from oral histories, archival records, and existing literature, the research reveals systemic challenges that adversely affected the resettlement program. Despite the area’s rich potential for agriculture, agricultural productivity stagnated due to communal farming practices, resource scarcity, and settlers’ difficulties in adapting to new environments. Inexperienced labor, managerial inefficiencies, and recurrent labor shortages exacerbated low crop yields and food insecurity. The settlements also faced inadequate access to education, healthcare, clean water, and markets, compounded by endemic malaria. These deficiencies hindered sustainable livelihood development, despite the government’s attempts to mitigate them. Moreover, the Ethio-Yemen farm altered regional resettlement patterns, reflecting broader policy contradictions between centralized planning and local realities. The study, therefore, highlights how poor governance, agricultural support, and infrastructure inadequacies create vulnerabilities in Ethiopia. By examining these issues within the context of agrarian history, it contributes to discussions on forced migration and rural development, advocating for participatory and equity-focused resettlement policies.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469458Resettlement programsDhaadallee and HarroolleeEthio-Yemen state farmHudadHistoryPhilosophy
spellingShingle Hailu Gelana Erko
Tesema Ta’a Wayessa
Tsegaye Zeleke Tuffa
Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
Cogent Arts & Humanities
Resettlement programs
Dhaadallee and Harroollee
Ethio-Yemen state farm
Hudad
History
Philosophy
title Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
title_full Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
title_fullStr Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
title_full_unstemmed Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
title_short Resettlement and state farm in central Ethiopia: analyzing the Dhaadallee-Harroollee resettlements and the Ethio-Yemen state farm (1974–1991)
title_sort resettlement and state farm in central ethiopia analyzing the dhaadallee harroollee resettlements and the ethio yemen state farm 1974 1991
topic Resettlement programs
Dhaadallee and Harroollee
Ethio-Yemen state farm
Hudad
History
Philosophy
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2025.2469458
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AT tsegayezeleketuffa resettlementandstatefarmincentralethiopiaanalyzingthedhaadalleeharroolleeresettlementsandtheethioyemenstatefarm19741991