Reports and briefs
The Economic Effects of Land Reform in Tajikistan
The purpose of this study is to analyze the economic effects of land reform policies in Tajikistan on the country’s agricultural sector and rural households. There is a conspicuous lack of evidence-based policy dialogue with the government on the effectiveness of land and agricultural policies in...
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New Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests endorsed
On 11 May 2012, the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) formally endorsed the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT).
The Voluntary Guidelines are the result of an unprecedented negotiation process, chaired by the United States that featured broad consultation and participation by 96 national governments, more than 25 civil society organizations, the private sector, nonprofits and farmers’ associations over the course of almost three years.
The new guidelines provide a set of principles and practices that can assist countries in establishing laws and policies that better govern land, fisheries and forests tenure rights, ultimately supporting food security and sustainable development. The endorsement of the Voluntary Guidelines also has significant importance for the right to food as many violations of the right to food around the world are related to access to natural resources. Margret Vidar, Legal Officer in FAO, explains the importance of the endorsement of the Voluntary Guidelines in relation to the right to food.
“Secure tenure of land, fisheries and forests is essential for the realization of the right to food of people in rural areas, who depend on them for their livelihoods”, said Margret Vidar.
“The VGGT build on the Right to Food Guidelines of 2004 and have the explicit goal of contributing to the realization of the right to food. The Right to Food Guidelines contain a section on access to natural resources, and the VGGT have provided much more details on the just and equitable governance of tenure”, she added.
For further information on the human right to adequate food and land tenure, please also see the following publications and news release by the Right to Food Team:
- The Right to Food and Access to Natural Resources
- Land Tenure, Investments and the Right to Food
- Responsible Governance of Land Tenure: An Essential Factor for the Realization of the Right to Food
For more information, please contact:
The Right to Food Team
[email protected]
www.fao.org/righttofood
Consultation
How can women's land rights be secured?
Despite women’s critical role and contribution to agriculture and food security, their ability to access land and other natural resources is weakened by their status within their community and by discriminatory customary or statutory laws. What can be done about it? What are examples of policies and tools that promote women's land rights?