What Is Land Consolidation?
Consolidation is a process carried out to ensure that agricultural lands are used more efficiently and sustainably. Agricultural lands in the form of scattered, small and unproductive parcels are merged so that farmers can farm on larger and more orderly parcels. In this way, sowing and planting operations become easier; activities such as irrigation, fertilisation and harvesting become more efficient.
The main benefits of agricultural consolidation are as follows:
- Increased efficiency: Farming on larger parcels provides savings in terms of labour and cost.
- Infrastructure development: Setting up infrastructure systems such as irrigation, roads and drainage becomes easier.
- Cost savings: Losses of transport, time and cost between scattered parcels are minimised.
- Rural development: Economic activity in rural areas increases and a more orderly agricultural system is formed.
Consolidation is organised by institutions under the coordination of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and the opinions of landowners are obtained during the process.
The Purpose of Consolidation
The most important purpose of consolidation is to bring together fragmented parcels that have lost their economic functionality and to enable the farmer to obtain more yield at less cost. For example, installing separate irrigation systems for a highly fragmented piece of land is much more costly than setting up a modern irrigation organisation for a single large field. Consolidation is carried out to increase efficiency and facilitate land use.
What Stages Does the Consolidation Process Consist Of?
1. Planning and Preparation
The area where consolidation is to be carried out is selected from regions where the lands are scattered, small and unproductive. The parcel structures, soil fertility and infrastructure possibilities in the region are analysed; landowners are informed and participation is ensured.
2. Cadastre and Mapping
The current status of the lands is mapped in detail by cadastre teams, and the boundaries of each parcel are determined. The value of each parcel is determined according to its soil quality, size and location. This grading is critical for the process to be conducted fairly.
3. New Parcel Planning
Small and scattered parcels are merged to design larger, orderly parcels; road and irrigation infrastructure that will facilitate agricultural activities is planned. The prepared parcelling plan is put on public display.
4. Ownership and Distribution
The distribution of the new parcels is made according to the value of the old parcels and the farmers' preferences; the title deed procedures are completed and the new title deeds are delivered to their owners.
5. Infrastructure Construction and Finalisation
Roads are opened for the new parcels and modern irrigation infrastructure is set up. At the end of the process, inspections are carried out and farmers begin production on their new, larger parcels.
Since consolidation requires careful planning and ownership arrangements, it is a process that can take a long time; however, once completed, it provides lasting benefit in terms of both agricultural efficiency and land values in the region. From an investor's point of view, the parcels in consolidated regions becoming more orderly and road-fronting supports value appreciation. In districts with large agricultural lands such as Kandira, such arrangements are an area of opportunity for the investor; to get to know the region closely, you can take a look at our Kandira guide.
