Azerbaijan is set to introduce a comprehensive legal framework for the consolidation of agricultural lands. The proposed legislative package includes significant amendments to the Land Code, the Civil Code, and several laws governing real estate, cadastre, and land markets.
According to Report, the draft law was submitted for discussion at a meeting of the Agrarian Policy Committee of the Milli Majlis. The initiative, prepared by the Ministry of Economy, aims to address the challenges posed by the fragmentation of agricultural plots, which currently hinders efficient land use and the application of modern farming technologies.
The proposed amendments introduce a new article to the Land Code, establishing a formal process for land consolidation based on the voluntary agreement of owners and equivalent market value. To prevent further fragmentation, the draft law stipulates that any subdivision of agricultural land through sale or other alienation methods will only be permitted if the resulting plots are at least 5 hectares in size. Additionally, the Civil Code will be amended to grant neighboring landowners a pre-emptive right to purchase adjacent agricultural plots, fostering natural market-driven consolidation.
The consolidation of agricultural land is a critical step for the development of the agrarian sector in Azerbaijan. By enabling the creation of larger, more viable farming units, the reform is expected to reduce production costs, improve the efficiency of irrigation and infrastructure systems, and ultimately boost crop yields. The draft law, which draws on international best practices including those from Turkey, is designed to strengthen national food security and accelerate the socio-economic development of rural regions.
