The Development of Market Relations in Agricultural Land: The Case of Kostroma Oblast

A status report on land property relations in post-Soviet Russia examines progress made toward the development of markets for agricultural land (with emphasis on the situation in Kostroma Oblast). The author surveys the evolution of legislation addressing rural land issues in Russia before focusing on how agricultural land transactions generally are conducted at present, e.g., processes through which land becomes available for sale, the determination of land valuation and taxation upon sale, and registration procedures. The general picture emerging with respect to rural land relations in Russia then is supplemented by a detailed description of a local land market as it operates in Kostroma Oblast (Central Region), pieced together from extensive interviews with local officials, a survey of the local press, and examination of local records and documents. 1 figure, 2 tables, 16 references.