The papers in this book study economic development from the perspective of social justice and economic efficiency; exploring the role of land tenure and productivity in Indian agriculture. Junankar discusses the efficiency of small farms versus large farms, and the role of share-cropping tenancy.
This review of taxation in agriculture in 35 OECD countries and emerging economies outlines the diversity of tax provisions affecting agriculture, provides an overview of cross-country differences in tax policy, and confirms the widespread use of tax concessions specifically for agriculture, although their importance and modalities differ across tax areas and countries.
The tax on immovable property has been characterized as probably the most unpopular among tax instruments, in part because it is salient and hard to avoid. But economists continue to emphasize the virtues of the property tax owing to its relatively low efficieny costs, benign impact on growth, and high score on fairness. It is, therefore, generally considered to be underutilized in most countries. This paper takes stock of the arguments for using real property taxation, and presents an updated data-set for high-and middle income countries to illustrate its use. It also reflects the renewed and widespread interest in property tax reform globally, and discusses the many policy and administrative issues that must be carefully considered as prerequisites for successful property tax reform.
This volume sets out a strategy for raising rural incomes which emphasises the creation of diversified rural economies with opportunities within and outside agriculture.
World Bank Technical Paper No. 140. Also available: Volume 1 (ISBN 0-8213-1843-8) Stock No. 11843; Volume 3 (ISBN 0-8213-1845-4) Stock No. 11845. Provides state-of-the-art guidance and information on the procedural requirements and practical aspects of environmental assessment in various sector- and location-specific contexts. Three volumes also available in Arabic: Volume 1 (ISBN 0-8213-3523-5) Stock No. 13523; Volume 2 (ISBN 0-8213-3617-7) Stock No. 13617; Volume 3 (ISBN 0-8213-3618-5) Stock No. 13618.
The Fund has long played a lead role in supporting developing countries’ efforts to improve their revenue mobilization. This paper draws on that experience to review issues and good practice, and to assess prospects in this key area.
In this collection of essays, edited by Gene Wunderlich, individual authors from various institutions discuss the economics and political issues surrounding land reform and the privatization of agricultural landownership in formerly socialized economies. The authors provide a solid framework for understanding how changes in landownership affect farm organization and production, wealth distribution, the environment, and public services. The subject matter is particularly relevant, although not limited to, the formerly socialized economies of Central and Eastern Europe. This book will be particularly useful in economic development courses and classes studying comparative economic systems. This book also provides excellent background for consultants and policymakers. Contents: Foreword; Preface; Creating Private Ownership and Markets in the Agricultural Land of Formerly Socialist Countries (Wunderlich); Landed Property in Capitalist and Socialist Countries (Thiesenhusen); Changing Land Relations and Farming Structures in Formerly Socialist Countries (Lerman); Supporting Markets in the Agricultural Land of Transitional Economies (Munro-Faure); Farmland Conveyancing in Selected FAO Member Sates in Transition (Riddell); Agricultural Land Tax and the Transition to Market Economy (Muller); Authors.
The book highlights proceedings from the Berlin 2008: Agriculture and Development conference held in preparation for the World Development Report 2008.