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Land property rights and investment incentives in movable farm assets: Evidence from post-Soviet Central Asia

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  • Kurbanov, Zafar
  • Djanibekov, Nodir
  • Herzfeld, Thomas

Abstract

We examined whether perceived land rights—use, management, transfer, and tenure security—are associated with investment in movable farm assets. Using micro-level data from crop-specialized farmers in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, we distinguish investment incentives linked to tenure security, transferability, and decision-making autonomy (use and management rights). Comparing market-oriented versus government-controlled contexts provides insights into differential role of land rights on investment behavior. Our findings underscore significant investment incentives linked to use and management rights rather than tenure security or transferability. Moreover, we reveal how country-specific institutional contexts influence the effectiveness of these land rights in stimulating agricultural investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Kurbanov, Zafar & Djanibekov, Nodir & Herzfeld, Thomas, 2025. "Land property rights and investment incentives in movable farm assets: Evidence from post-Soviet Central Asia," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 67(2), pages 396-425.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:espost:319533
    DOI: 10.1057/s41294-024-00251-z
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • P14 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Property Rights
    • P26 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Property Rights
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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