Azerbaijan is moving to establish a robust legal framework for the efficient and sustainable use of land resources, with a specific focus on land consolidation. The initiative aims to modernize the agricultural sector by streamlining property management and infrastructure development.
According to the "Operative Information Center-OMM", the government plans to introduce significant amendments to the Land Code, the Civil Code, and several key laws, including those governing state cadastre, land monitoring, land markets, and the state registry of real estate. These legislative proposals were reviewed during a joint session of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) committees on Legal Policy and State Building, and Labor and Social Policy.
During the session, officials emphasized that the proposed changes to the Land Code are designed to prevent the excessive fragmentation of agricultural land, which currently hinders the effective use of modern machinery, irrigation systems, and agro-technical resources. By consolidating small, inefficient plots, the government intends to reduce production costs, increase crop yields, and stimulate the socio-economic development of rural areas. To address these challenges, a new article, 13-2, will be added to the Land Code, defining the process for consolidating land plots based on owner consent, equivalent market value, and infrastructure requirements.
The legislation introduces strict measures to curb future fragmentation. Specifically, the sale or transfer of agricultural land will only be permitted if the resulting plots are at least 5 hectares in size. Furthermore, to encourage voluntary consolidation, a new article (648-1) will be added to the Civil Code, granting neighboring landowners a right of first refusal when adjacent agricultural land is put up for sale. Similar restrictions will apply to inheritance, ensuring that divided plots remain viable for agricultural production.
The proposed reforms draw on international best practices, including legal frameworks from Turkey and other nations with successful land consolidation models. By creating a unified legal basis for land management, the Azerbaijani government aims to enhance national food security, improve agricultural productivity, and foster sustainable development in the country's rural regions.
