FAO Miscellaneous Land Tenure Documents

This joint Transparency International and FAO Working Paper draws attention on corruption in land tenure and administration. Unprecedented pressures on land have been created as new areas are cultivated, taken over by expanding urban centres or are abandoned due to degradation, climate change and conflict. These developments have strained the rules, processes and institutions that determine which land resources are used, by whom, for how long and under what conditions. As evident around the globe, where land governance is deficient, high levels of corruption often flourish. Weak land governance tends to be characterized by low levels of transparency, accountability and the rule of law. Under such a system, land distribution is unequal, tenure is insecure, and natural resources are poorly managed. As a consequence, social stability, investment, broad-based economic growth and sustainable development are undermined.

This publication contains national briefs analysing natural disasters occurred in the past 10 to 15 years and the land tenure lessons learned in Indonesia, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Philippines, Ecuador and Honduras. For the analysis the briefs describe the land tenure context in the country as well as the socioeconomic conditions of the people affected by the natural disaster. Finally the briefs identify lessons learned which can be very useful to consider when dealing with natural disasters management, prevention and mitigation programmes in the concerning countries. The publication is the result of a joint initiative between FAO, UN-HABITAT, Early Recovery Cluster of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee working on emergency operations, and the Global Land Tools Network.

This publication analyses land tenure issues in the framework of natural disasters management policies and programmes in Mozambique, Bangladesh, Philippines and Ecuador. The publication is useful for these and other countries and professionals trying to include land tenure issues into their country disaster risk management systems. Moreover due to the few literature and data that examine the direct impacts and effects of natural hazards on land tenure at national and local level, this publication can be an interesting contribution. The publication is the result of a joint initiative between FAO, UN-HABITAT, Early Recovery Cluster of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee working on emergency operations, and the Global Land Tools Network.

This milestone publication, jointly produced by the World Bank, FAO and IFAD, represents the collective work of over 100 writers and reviewers. Capitalizing on the comparative strengths of the three organizations, the Sourcebook synthesizes in one place, knowledge, experience and tools and provides an up-to-date understanding of gender issues and the complexities of linking gender equality, poverty reduction, sustainable livelihoods and food security against the backdrop of a rapidly changing agricultural sector. The Module 4 concentrates on gender issues in land policy and administration.

New research shows how agricultural investments in developing nations can be structured as alternatives to large-scale land acquisitions. It documents a range of more inclusive business models that can bring benefits to small-scale farmers and protect their land rights, while also ensuring returns to companies.