Frithjof Kuhnen
(1996):
Synthesis of Current State of and Trends in Land Tenure and Land Policy in Asia
4.2.3 Special Land Tenure Projects/Programmes
Special land tenure projects/programmes can be of two types:
Model Projects
They are of experimental character and try to develop
suitable methods and procedures which, if successful, can be applied on a
larger scale. Because of their trial-and-error character, they should be planned in a way
which allows much flexibility for changes within the time of execution. Their main
goal is not to implement reforms, but to develop procedures suitable for a wider
application.
Training and Evaluation Projects
Their goal is the training of officers of all levels in the techniques
for implementing the measures foreseen by governments. As well, they have to implement
ongoing evaluation of the reform process in order to guarantee a speedy change of
procedures in the case of bottlenecks in the process.
4.2.3.1 Examples of Model Projects
| Land Tenure Reform |
Support for planned or ongoing government reform
projects by elaborating procedures. |
| Land Market |
Procedures for establishing a cadaster,
if wanted and if financial and manpower resources are available in the long run. Use of
aerial surveys. |
|
Otherwise, cheaper provisional forms such
as village registers of land ownership and tenancy should be established. |
|
Initiating revision and completion of
existing cadasters which are not up to date. |
|
Establishment of rules for land transfer,
limiting sale to non-farmers and for non-agricultural use. |
| Improvement of Tenancy |
Introduction of written form and of registration,
establishment of tenants' associations and negotiation boards. |
| Land Use Planning |
Establishment of land use planning, including
criteria for land use, for non-agricultural and public use of agricultural land.
Determination of rules for problems of urban fringe land, for the taxation of windfall
gains. Introduction of modern methods of land use planning. |
| Limitation of land use rights |
Establishment of rules for limiting land use
rights that are harmful to the environment such as excessive use of fertilizers and
pesticides |
|
Regulations against the misuse of land
(cultivation of steep slopes, concentration of animal production) which is detrimental to
the environment. |
|
Users' associations to control resource
preservation. Development of a system involving village specialists in erosion control,
road maintenance, etc. |
| Promotion of change in agrarian structure |
Analysis of the state of differentiation
in various regions and of the smallholders' interest in agriculture |
|
Promotion of land transfer to those who
are interested by offering incentives. |
|
Training in non-agricultural jobs for
those who are not interested in agriculture. |
|
Job promotion. |
|
Expansion of farms of bona-fide small
farmers. |
|
Planning of land consolidation, including cheap
simple forms of land consolidation if - and only if - the technological development
requires such measures. |
|
Introduction of machine banks and forms
of cooperation between full-time and part-time farmers in land cultivation. |
| Regional development projects |
Taking into account differentiation in and
phasing out of agriculture in the activities, whenever applicable. Agricultural policy for
bona fide farmers, other policies for small landowners. |
All land tenure projects clash with the vested interests of
some sections of the rural society and are bound to revive these groups' antagonism. A
careful analysis of the local and regional power structure is necessary to prevent harmful
disasters.
4.2.3.2 Examples for Training and Evaluation
Projects
- Training staff of all levels in the necessary techniques
in land tenure reform projects concerning ownership and tenancy.
- Training of personnel to keep cadasters and provisional
forms of land records, and to control land transfers.
- Training personnel to control limitations of land use rights
and misuse of land on ecological grounds.
- Training of personnel in techniques of land use planning.
- Training of village specialists on land resource preservation
(erosion control, road maintenance, etc.).
|
