Farmland degradation in developing countries : the role of property rights and an assessment of land titling as a policy intervention

If so, to what extent should governments promote land tenure security through land titling programs as a means of combatting the growing problem of land degradation? These issues are explored herein, with particular focus on the applicability of "property rights" theory to the real-life complexity of tenure security problems. The following conclusions are reached. (1) Private property rights regimes are not the only alternative. Common- and state-owned property are equally viable forms of ownership. (2) In certain parts of the developing world, particularly in Africa, formal land titling is not necessary to successful land management. (3) Formal land titling, even if appropriate, must be accompanied by access to credit and the development of land markets and supported by extension, education, and rural infrastructure. (4) Both registration and redefinition of land rights may be appropriate in certain areas, e.g., redistributive land reform in a "Latin American" agrarian structure). (5) The success of land titling undertaken for land conservation purposes depends on such factors as a suitable legal and institutional environment, the presence of environmental safeguards, and an undistorted incentive structure.