Feed the Future Tajikistan Land Market Development Activity Quarterly Report Year 4, Quarter 1

The project focuses on land policy and private sector development in 12 districts in Khatlon Province, which has the largest number of people living below the poverty line and a dominant agricultural sector. The project aims to increase the number of Tajik private appraisal companies, streamline land registration procedures, and increase understanding of the many aspects of a land use market among government officials and farmers. During the first quarter of the project's fourth year (Y4Q1), significant progress was made in each task activity. In the area of improving land policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks governing market transactions, the draft Appraisal Law was submitted to the Government of Tajikistan (GOTJ) for approval on October 2, 2019. The Mortgage Law amendments draft was approved by the GOTJ on November 27, 2019, and the draft Mortgage Law was adopted by the Majlisi Namoyandagon Majlisi Oli (MNMO) on December 18, 2019. In terms of introducing market-based principles for agriculture land use rights, three land lease auctions were conducted in Jomi District and Yovon District, establishing a transparent and accountable process for the allocation of Special Land Fund (SLF) and Land Reserve Fund (LRF) lands in target districts. The total annual revenue from the three auctions will be added to the budgets of the abovementioned districts. Additionally, a study tour was conducted to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 22 representatives from the State Unitary Enterprise for Registration of Immovable Property (SUERIP), the Association of Independent Appraisers (AIA), and the Association of Banks of Tajikistan (ABT) to learn about the practices of agricultural land mortgage developed in these countries. Furthermore, working groups were established for the development of Perspective Plans for usage in agricultural lands from SLF and LRF lands in three jamoats: 1) 20-solagii Istiqloliyati Tojikiston jamoat; 2) Kh. Kholmatov jamoat; and 3) Panj jamoat. LMDA also developed and finalized the draft regulation for the development of the Expert Evaluation Council (EEC) and presented it at a roundtable discussion on December 18, 2019. Additionally, LMDA developed and presented draft Instructions on Conducting Auctions at a roundtable discussion on December 17, 2019, to 14 State Land Committee (SLC) representatives. The project has also supported AIA representatives to participate at the International Appraisers Conference in Minsk, Belarus in December, 2019, where memorandums of cooperation were signed with three associations: the Association of Appraisers organization of Belarus, Bagalau of Kazakhstan, and the Self-Regulatory Union of Appraisers of Russia. These efforts demonstrate the project's commitment to promoting a functional agricultural land market based on market principles and gender equality in rights and processes. The LMDA has also made significant progress in increasing knowledge of and protection of agricultural land markets. In October 2019, the draft Rules for Conducting a Qualification Exam for Applicants for the Right to Obtain a License for Appraisers was presented to the Council on Appraising (COA) members for the first time in Tajikistan. Additionally, LMDA conducted a study tour to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 22 representatives from SUERIP, AIA, and ABT to learn about the practices of agricultural land mortgage developed in these countries. In terms of gender focus, the project has made significant progress in increasing awareness of land-related laws among relevant government personnel. In November 2019, LMDA conducted a study tour to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 22 representatives from SUERIP, AIA, and ABT to learn about the practices of agricultural land mortgage developed in these countries. Additionally, working groups were established for the development of Perspective Plans for usage in agricultural lands from SLF and LRF lands in three jamoats: 1) 20-solagii Istiqloliyati Tojikiston jamoat; 2) Kh. Kholmatov jamoat; and 3) Panj jamoat. The project has also made significant progress in increasing awareness of freedom to farm, land reform, and land use rights among the Feed the Future Tajikistan Land Market Development Activity target population. In October 2019, the draft Rules for Conducting a Qualification Exam for Applicants for the Right to Obtain a License for Appraisers was presented to the Council on Appraising (COA) members for the first time in Tajikistan. Additionally, LMDA conducted a study tour to Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for 22 representatives from SUERIP, AIA, and ABT