Explore publications.

This study aims to examine and investigate the controversy surrounding the extinguishment and revocation of rights to abandoned land under Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025, viewed from the perspective of Indonesian land law. The research employs a literature review methodology, encompassing relevant legislation and academic literature. The findings indicate that the provisions regarding the extinguishment and revocation of rights to abandoned land in Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025 grant the state broad authority to extinguish and revoke such rights and transfer them to the Land Bank and the State Land Reserve. These actions are carried out without guarantees of due legal process or the provision of compensation to the former rights holders. This approach is considered highly controversial and inconsistent with prevailing legal norms in Indonesia. Hence, the study’s findings are expected to serve as a foundation for the government to adopt an integrated legal approach in addressing the issue of abandoned land in Indonesia, thereby ensuring consistency of authority and legal certainty. In this regard, the government needs to revise Indonesia’s Government Regulation No. 48/2025 specifically concerning the termination and revocation of rights to land categorized as abandoned while considering approaches adopted in other ASEAN countries. Ultimately, this research is expected to make a valuable contribution to the literature on land governance, property rights, and land regulatory policy in Indonesia.

The Central Sahel, which includes Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, faces escalating violence driven by growing land pressure, environmental stress, and uneven institutional capacity. This study investigates how land use change influences conflict intensity by integrating geo referenced conflict data from ACLED, governance indicators from V Dem, and environmental and land use variables from PRIO GRID. Using a spatial difference in differences model applied to a 0.5 degree grid cell dataset, the analysis quantifies how cropland expansion, pasture contraction, and climate related shocks affect violent events under different levels of local governance quality. The results show that land use pressure significantly increases conflict intensity, but the magnitude of this effect depends strongly on institutional strength. Conflict levels rise by as much as 45 percent in weak governance areas following comparable land changes, while areas with stronger local institutions experience considerably lower escalation risks. Spatial spillover patterns further reveal that violence diffuses across local and national boundaries, especially along pastoral mobility routes and border zones. The study contributes new empirical evidence on the interaction between land dynamics and governance in shaping conflict and highlights the importance of strengthening local institutions, safeguarding mobility systems, and integrating land governance into regional peacebuilding strategies. The findings align with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 16 focused on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

The issue of land continues to be pivotal in Southern Africa, reflecting the lasting effects of historical land dispossession from the colonial and apartheid periods. This study analyses the effects of sustainable land reform on agricultural productivity and rural development in South Africa, emphasising the connections among land redistribution, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability. The study utilises a systematic literature review alongside grey literature, incorporating government reports and publications from international organisations. Thematic analysis was employed to identify, analyse, and report patterns. The findings underscore the necessity of enhancing land tenure systems, increasing resource accessibility, and delivering sufficient support for agricultural development. Recommendations focus on improving small-scale agriculture via climate-smart practices and promoting financial inclusion. This paper advances the land reform discourse by presenting a policy framework that combines sustainable agricultural practices with land redistribution, thereby securing enduring economic and environmental advantages. The primary contribution is the provision of actionable recommendations that incorporate sustainability into land reform, thereby promoting inclusive rural development.

The purpose of the study is to examine the factors and physiognomies that perpetuate unequal allocation and distribution of land between men and women in rural areas. Land is regarded as an instrument towards poverty reduction, increased economic growth and economic development. Gender inequality on allocation of resources such as land continues to manifest not only in African countries but throughout the globe. Moreover, the criteria in which the land is allocated plays a pivotal role in the lives of the people. The resources are still allocated based on the role played by men and women within the society. Although, the post-apartheid South African government formulated laws and policies that aimed to redress the inequalities that still exist in many communities. Cultural roles and beliefs still define how men and women should conduct themselves within the households and communities at large. The study argues that there is a continued limitation of access to and ownership of land by women. Cultural and gender stereotype still influences how land is allocated among men and women. The study concludes that due to culture, men are given the privilege to have access to land and take over their family’s inheritances while women are expected to get married and live with their husband’s family. As a result, women continue to suffer the hardest with limited access to land.

Land distribution is a key factor in income inequality in rural areas of developing countries. This study examines the impact of land tenure security on household income and its distribution in Iringa district, Tanzania, focusing on the Certificate of Customary Right of Occupation (CCRO). Using a quasi-experimental design and Propensity Score Matching, 404 respondents were randomly selected and divided into groups with and without CCROs. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews. Analysis using SPSS/STATA revealed that households with CCROs had higher agricultural yields, sales, and lower production costs. They also invested more in modern farming techniques and soil conservation, leading to higher incomes and reduced income inequality. Despite over 50,000 CCROs issued, credit access remains limited due to a lack of awareness and additional collateral requirements. The study concludes that secure land rights are vital for economic growth and poverty alleviation. Recommendations include increasing awareness about CCROs, facilitating their use as collateral, and exploring barriers to credit access for CCRO holders. Further research is needed to address these challenges.

It is a daunting task to restore dispossessed land after armed conflicts. Burundi is stuck in this quagmire following years of violent conflicts. Although land restitution is meant to pacify nationals, this depends on the prevailing political, economic, and social circumstances. This study explores these circumstances focused on the armed conflict legacies in Burundi and the disparities between those people who stayed put when violent conflict erupted and displaced people who got back home. The study reveals that in post-Burundi conflict, redressing land issues could flop if governance challenges, trust, and shifting dynamics of politics are inadequately dealt with.