Abstract
Since Kazakhstan gained independence, transformation of land relations in agriculture has been inextricably linked with waves of privatization and introduction of market principles of management. The goal is to study the impact of institutional changes on the process of reforming land resources in agricultural sector of the republic. The methods are based on materials from domestic and foreign analytical reviews, scientific publications, regulations relating to the land issue, and program strategic documents. Quantitative and graphical methods were used to analyze the consequences of institutional reforms in agro-industrial complex in terms of property reorganization, land use, and contribution of agricultural production to the country's GDP. Results - it is substantiated that the breakup of production, logistics and other necessary connections in the first years of Kazakhstan’s independence became a difficult test for agriculture and the loss of significant investments in the gross domestic product by this industry. Modern reality required building new market rules, regulated by the state within the framework of laws. The main stages of regulatory changes that influenced land legal relations in agricultural sector are given. The consequences of past reforms related to the land issue are presented, problems and challenges facing the development of agro-industrial complex of the republic are identified, and recommendations are offered to improve the current situation. Conclusions - it should be understood that the quality of adopted regulations reflecting property rights, including land legislation, directly affects socio-economic and environmental situation, which shows the importance of the institutional system for the economic development of the country, formation of effective socio-economic structure of agricultural sector.