The Economics of Land Reform

Abstract

For a number of years I have followed with interest Dr. Warriner's writings on the topics of rural poverty and land reform (25; 26; 27; 28; 29). Her historical as well as multi-country perspective allows her an overview of these matters which few can match. She has consistently directed our attention toward the rural poor and recognized their skills and willingness to change if profitable alternatives were made available. She has stressed income distribution in developmental planning, and has insisted that the term "land reform" be used in a narrow sense to mean a change in property ownership in favor of the poor. She has rightly pointed out that land reform is no cure-all, but that it may, in some cases, be the only alternative available for making significant inroads on rural poverty. Few in the development profession can match her dedication to these issues. My comments will be largely supplemental to the points made in her paper. I attempt to do two things: (1) state what I think is the st;te-of-the-art regarding five major economic issues related to land reform, and (2) briefly review the role which economists and aid agencies have played, and the part they will likely play in land reform during the next couple of decades.