Participation and Peer-to-Peer Learning - Implementing EU Best Practices into Land Consolidation in Serbia
Zoran Knezevic & Michael Becker
Compared to EU countries, fragmentation of agricultural land is a major problem in rural areas of South East Serbia, where the productivity of land holdings is inefficient. There, average parcel sizes amount to less than 0.30 ha, where many parcels are not accessible by roads or tracks. Experiences from other European countries show an investment in land consolidation can have high mid and long-term returns. The Serbian Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection is currently modernizing its procedures and processes for land consolidation according to EU best practices in a project with support of the European Union and the German Government. Experiences gained in seven pilot areas will help elaborating improved laws and bylaws. Intensive participation of all stakeholders has created an atmosphere of trust and understanding. Environmental Impact Assessments ensure, that the agricultural production is sustained in an ecologically balanced environment. Average parcel sizes are expected to grow by at least 40% as a result of the land consolidation process. As similar frame conditions and constraints apply to former Yugoslavian and Eastern European states, participation and peer-to-peer learning approaches have a high potential to contributing towards good governance and long term peaceful rural development in the entire region.
Event: Annual World Bank Conference on Land and Poverty 2015
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