Agricultural Land Redistribution: Toward Greater Consensus (Agriculture and Rural Development Series) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0821376276 ISBN 13: 9780821376270

Publisher: World Bank Publications, 2009

Synopsis

Despite 250 years of land reform all over the world, important land inequalities remain, especially in Latin America and Southern Africa. While there is near consensus on the need for redistribution in these countries, much controversy persists around how to redistribute land peacefully and legally, often blocking progress on implementation.

This book focuses on the 'how' of land redistribution in order to forge greater consensus among land reform practitioners and enable them to make better choices on the mechanisms of land reform. Reviews and case studies describe and analyze the alternative implementation options.

About this title

Review:

"Agricultural Land Redistribution: Toward Greater Consensus addresses a major policy dilemma: how to benefit from the development gains agricultural land redistribution is expected to generate while avoiding the losses caused by the highly imperfect ways redistribution is generally implemented. The authors address this issue through a broad historical perspective and a world tour of case studies. They conclude that flexibility is needed when selecting transfer mechanisms, in particular seeking a balance between subsidized market transactions, land taxation, and expropriation; when introducing effective conflict resolution mechanisms during redistribution; when establishing secure property rights for beneficiaries; and when giving support to the new farmers so that they rapidly become competitive. The assessment is sobering; it points to actual gains as well as to numerous unresolved difficulties. The authors rightly note that the lack of solid impact evaluations complicates the task of identifying the best process for successful implementation. This book provides valuable information on a subject that remains incompletely understood, yet central to development." --Alain de Janvry, Professor, University of California at Berkeley, USA

"This excellent collection of case studies and thematic chapters adds considerably to our knowledge of the deeply contentious issue of land redistribution." --Robin Palmer, former Global Land Adviser, Oxfam, UK

"This important contribution addresses a crucial need of the rural poor in the world: access to land to make a living and to live with dignity." --Eugênio Peixoto, former Secretary of Agrarian Reform, Brazil

About this edition

• Publisher: World Bank Publications
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0821376276
• ISBN 13: 9780821376270
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 490
• Editor: Binswanger-Mkhize Hans P., Bourguignon Camille, Van Den Brink Rogier J. E.