Silver Spring, MD — International Land Systems (ILS), Inc. in partnership with Chemonics International has entered into a three-year USAID-funded contract to support land reform legislation in Tajikistan.
The Land Reform Project in Tajikistan (LRPT) seeks to assist the Government of Tajikistan in restructuring the country’s agricultural sector. The long-needed reforms will be developed and enacted through innovative, market driven land policies. Also integral to the legislation will be the pursuit of the transparent and equitable reorganization of the Tajik farming system.
Land use rights have become an increasingly critical concern for many former Soviet Union countries that have given their citizens the right to lease collectively owned farms and create alternative, privately owned enterprises.
The project aims to improve long-term land use rights and develop an effective land use market as well as to draft amendments either repealing or harmonizing land related policies. It will also support public-private dialogue and partnerships related to useful legislation and strengthening the technical capacity of governmental agencies to address land-related issues.
Public awareness activities including outreach programs, seminars, radio programs, training, and legal aid activities will also be used to enhance the primary objectives of the program.
The project’s Chief of Party and full time ILS staffer, Mr. Justin T. Holl Jr., recognizes the importance of the successful formulation of land policy and legislative development for the Government of Tajikistan and was instrumental in assisting the Government of Tajikistan and the Donor Coordination Council develop its strategy for land reform in 2009. Mr. Holl played a leading role in drafting proposed amendments to the Land Code, assisting the Working Group on Structural and Land Reform, setting legislative agendas and priorities, and critiquing key land and related legislation.
Holl stated, “The relevant elements necessary to form a land market are slowly coming into being in Tajikistan. The developments in 2009 indicate that the political will to reform the agricultural sector has been reinforced by decrees of the President. Farmers are becoming more and more familiar with their rights regarding land relations, and with this confidence are beginning to take advantage of the resources available to assert those rights. As the market develops and land use rights are freely bought and sold those that are willing and able to use the land in the most profitable manner will do so, the rural economy will benefit, and lives will be improved.”
About International Land Systems
International Land Systems (ILS), Inc. is a multinational Information Technology company based in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. ILS specializes in creating customized software and Internet solutions for geospatial and land-based applications, such as Land Information Systems (LIS), land records, deeds, registers, cadastre and title registration systems in addition to providing professional services relating to land administration, worldwide.