One of the major success of Indian land reforms in late 1950s and early 1960s was consolidation of land holdings.
Benefits to the farmer - It was observed that a farmer is holding land in different places. This led to low productivity as much of the energy of the farmer was lost in protecting the boundaries than doing real farm work. Even if his boundaries are protected, he had to devote considerable time for supervising scattered farms. Moreover he cannot use irrigation facilities efficiently due to non-contiguous nature of his land holdings.
Benefits to the Society - Improved farm production is always better for the society. Further, the consolidation of land holdings released some surplus land locked in boundaries of small farm units.
Inspite of the success achieved by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, other states did not fared well. However, the Western India was somewhat saved from scattered land holdings due to co-operative movement and land-renting. The situation in Eastern India is really grim. Though the co-operatives were also tried there, but it failed because their main objective was to get the incentives from Govt. than providing benefit to its members. The small and scattered land holdings in these states make the acquisition of land for industries by direct purchase method nearly impossible.
We need another attempt for consolidation to begin. This is applicable for earlier successful states as well as long time has passed since last consolidation and land holding pattern changes over the years due to various reasons. Excess land realised should be used to develop social assets like water reservoirs, forest cover, solar farms etc.
Other suggestions on rural reforms will follow.
Benefits to the farmer - It was observed that a farmer is holding land in different places. This led to low productivity as much of the energy of the farmer was lost in protecting the boundaries than doing real farm work. Even if his boundaries are protected, he had to devote considerable time for supervising scattered farms. Moreover he cannot use irrigation facilities efficiently due to non-contiguous nature of his land holdings.
Benefits to the Society - Improved farm production is always better for the society. Further, the consolidation of land holdings released some surplus land locked in boundaries of small farm units.
Inspite of the success achieved by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana, other states did not fared well. However, the Western India was somewhat saved from scattered land holdings due to co-operative movement and land-renting. The situation in Eastern India is really grim. Though the co-operatives were also tried there, but it failed because their main objective was to get the incentives from Govt. than providing benefit to its members. The small and scattered land holdings in these states make the acquisition of land for industries by direct purchase method nearly impossible.
We need another attempt for consolidation to begin. This is applicable for earlier successful states as well as long time has passed since last consolidation and land holding pattern changes over the years due to various reasons. Excess land realised should be used to develop social assets like water reservoirs, forest cover, solar farms etc.
Other suggestions on rural reforms will follow.
No comments:
Post a Comment