2012年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_Agricultural_Land_Markets_and_Land_Leasing_in_the_Former_Yugoslav_Republic_of_Macedonia_21页_390kb

Summary of "Agricultural Land Markets and Land Leasing in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia"

Core Content

This working paper examines the structure of agricultural land, land markets, and land leasing in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), focusing on the institutional and legal frameworks that influence these areas. It also evaluates the role of national and EU agricultural policies in shaping the land market and their impact on agricultural development and rural economy.

Main Points

• Land Ownership and Farm Structure:
  The FYROM has a bipolar agricultural land ownership structure, with 80% of land owned by private family farms and 20% by the state, which is leased to agricultural enterprises.

  • Family farms are typically small-scale and fragmented, often operating on 0.3–0.5 ha parcels.
  • These farms are mainly engaged in mixed production (crops, fruits, vegetables, grapes, livestock), with a focus on subsistence farming.
  • Agricultural enterprises (successors of former state-owned agrokombinats) manage the remaining state-owned land, which is mostly used for pasture and arable land.

• Land Fragmentation:
  Land fragmentation is a major obstacle to modernising agricultural production in FYROM.

  • It is rooted in historical inheritance systems and informal land market relations.
  • The lack of a well-functioning land market and land leasing system hinders land consolidation and structural change in agriculture.
  • The state-owned land is often uncultivated or cultivated illegally, affecting land market values and rental prices.

• Legal and Institutional Frameworks:
  The Law on Agricultural Land (1986–1998) regulates land use, ownership, and transfer, aiming to prevent fragmentation and promote consolidation.

  • The law introduced taxes on land transfers and priority rights for nearby land users and neighbors.
  • Despite these regulations, fragmentation persists due to weak enforcement and limited institutional support.
  • The Law on the Transformation of Enterprises prevents the privatisation of state-owned agricultural land, maintaining it as a public good.

• Agricultural Land Use by Region:

  • Polog, Pelagonia, and the southwest region have a high proportion of pasture land (79%, 57%, and 51%, respectively).
  • Despite this, Pelagonia holds the largest share of arable land and gardens in the country.
  • The structure of agricultural land is uneven, with some regions having more arable land and others more pasture.

• Land Market and Leasing:

  • Land leasing is a key mechanism for the state-owned land to be used by agricultural enterprises.
  • Lease periods vary from short-term (5 years) to long-term (up to 40 years), with public announcement required for lease.
  • Land rental values and prices are influenced by government policies and market dynamics, with state land being non-tradable but leaseable.
  • The land market is underdeveloped, especially for small family farms, which lack market institutions and support mechanisms.

• Institutional Activities and Information Systems:

  • The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy (MAFWE) is involved in the creation of information systems for agricultural and land policy.
  • The Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) is the foundation for efficient land administration and direct agricultural support.
  • The Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) is used to identify and manage agricultural land. It is computerised and based on geographical information systems.
  • The Farm Register is designed to standardise data collection, link all agricultural registers, and support policy analysis and planning.
  • The Farm Register is crucial for EU funding mechanisms such as IPARD and for monitoring land use and subsidy payments.

• Agricultural Area and Trends:

  • The total agricultural land in FYROM was 1,014,000 ha in 2009, with arable land and pastures making up the majority.
  • Arable land was 513,000 ha, while pastures were 500,000 ha.
  • The agricultural area has been declining over the years, as shown in Table 2, indicating underutilisation and inefficiency in land use.

• Cultivated vs. Uncultivated Land:

  • In 2009, 70% of arable land and gardens was cultivated, while 30% was uncultivated.
  • Agricultural enterprises cultivated 90% of their land, while individual farmers cultivated only 67% of their land.
  • The uncultivated land is a key issue affecting land market values and rental dynamics.

• Land Use by Category:

  • Cereals dominate the cultivated land in both enterprises and individual farms.
  • Industrial crops, vegetables, and fodder make up a smaller share of cultivated land.
  • Vineyards and orchards are less common but still significant in certain regions.

Key Information

• Land Fragmentation is a persistent issue due to historical land use policies, inheritance systems, and underdeveloped land markets.
• State-owned land is not tradable, but can be leased to agricultural enterprises, which manage it for long-term use.
• Institutional reforms have not significantly changed land ownership or land market dynamics, leading to continued inefficiencies.
• The Farm Register and LPIS are critical for EU compliance, land management, and policy implementation.
• Small and fragmented farms hinder modernisation, mechanisation, and agricultural competitiveness.
• The bipolar land ownership structure persists, with private farms owning the majority of land and state-owned land being leased to a limited number of enterprises.

Policy Implications

• Strengthening land market institutions and leasing mechanisms is essential for land consolidation and structural change.
• Improving land use efficiency and reducing fragmentation can enhance agricultural productivity and rural development.
• The development of information systems (such as LPIS and Farm Register) is crucial for transparent land management, EU compliance, and effective policy implementation.
• Land reform and modernisation should focus on supporting small farmers with better access to markets, technical assistance, and financial incentives.
• The role of EU funding (e.g., IPARD) in land management and agricultural development should be strengthened to address current inefficiencies.