DUSHANBE, January 24, 2013, Asia-Plus — The USAID Land Reform Project hosted an event in Dushanbe to mark the completion of a three-year project to create a market in land use rights and celebrate the major achievements of the Tajik government in advancing Land Reform, U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe said.
U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan M. Elliott and Deputy Prime Minister Murodali Alimardon opened the event attended by donor representatives and government officials.
Ambassador Elliott noted that “Land reform is essential for the development of the agricultural sector, and the security of land use rights is a critical for the development of this sector. When farmers have confidence in the security of their land rights they are willing to make long-term investments that will increase land productivity and profitability.”
Since its inception, the USAID project focused on strengthening and protecting farmers’ land use rights and developing a market in land use rights by providing technical assistance, training, and public outreach services. The project also increased the capacity of the Government of Tajikistan to introduce progressive land legislation and policies based on “freedom to farm” principles and effectively implement land reforms with the long-term goal of establishing a land use rights market. A functioning land use rights market will provide the environment for the most productive and efficient long-term use of land.
USAID also informed farmers of their land rights through comprehensive training and public outreach, protected farmers’ through legal assistance, and supported the rule of law by providing technical training on land rights issues to local government officials, judges, public prosecutors, and defense advocates. Over 102,000 citizens received direct assistance over the last three years under this project.
USAID programs have assisted the government in land policy reform and legislative development since 2004. Land reform remains an integral part of the U.S. Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative known as “Feed the Future.” In Tajikistan, Feed the Future seeks to address hunger and poverty by accelerating inclusive agricultural growth and improving the nutritional status, particularly of women and children, in 12 districts in the Khatlon province.
The USAID Land Reform Project in Tajikistan is one of the many assistance projects made possible by the American people. Since 1992, the American people have provided over $1 billion in programs and humanitarian aid that support Tajikistan’s democratic institutions, health care, education, and economic growth.
