Using empirical case materials from the Philippines and referring to rich experiences from different countries historically, this book offers conceptual and practical conclusions that have far-reaching implications for land reform throughout the world. Examining land reform theory and practice, this book argues that conventional practices have excluded a significant portion of land-based production and distribution relationships, while they have inadvertently included land transfers that do not constitute real redistributive reform. By direct implication, this book is a critique of both mainstream market led agrarian reform and conventional state-led land reform. It offers an alternative perspective on how to move forward in theory and practice and opens new paths in land policy research.

The Poor and the Land is a powerful novel by Henry Rider Haggard that addresses issues of poverty, inequality, and social justice. Set in rural England, this book follows the struggles of a group of impoverished farmers as they fight against unjust landowners and a corrupt legal system. Haggard's vivid characters and heartbreaking narrative make this an important work of social commentary that is as relevant today as it was when it was first published. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Revised version of papers presented at the National Workshop on Land Markets and Rural Poverty, held at Mussoorie during 10-11 August 2004.

The present research aims to fill this latter gap by analyzing the experiences in the Andhi Khola Irrigation Scheme in the hills of west central Nepal. The United Mission to Nepal (UMN), in collaboration with the Department of Irrigation of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, initiated this project in 1982. An area of 282 hectares of which only small portions received water from seasonal streams came under year-round irrigation. A distributive land reform policy was implemented in this area according to which larger farmers had to sell part of their land for resale to the landless. Moreover, the project designed and implemented a water allocation system in which everyone could earn tradable water rights (shares) through participation in construction work. In 1997, the scheme was finalized and handed over to the Andhi Khola Water Users Association (AKWUA).