The management of soils is an important issue for policymakers in Ethiopia. However, most of the interventions designed to conserve these resources have proved unsustainable in the long term. This is because social, cultural and political factors have not been taken into account. This paper presents the results of a study in Tigray which explored local people's perceptions and understanding of their land resources. The findings have significant implications for policies on agricultural extension and land redistribution, and for on-farm research.