Significance of Land Reforms in India

Significance of Land Reforms in India

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The fundamental motivation behind initiatives of Land Reforms is to support producers and landowners. These farmers are prepared to make the arduous effort if the government will guarantee that it will protect them (from exploitation) and offer them financial assistance. Once the farmer is actually given ownership, he can build credit and fully develop the land. Such land reforms primarily benefit the nation by boosting agricultural output. This is achieved without a substantial infusion of federal funding. India already had difficulty meeting its own food needs. Increasing the production of grains and other agricultural products on farms is made possible by these land improvements, which are free to implement. Once the farmer has sufficient to consume, the farmer will also sell the extra food to the market to boost the local economy.

The Land Reforms enhanced the interaction between the government and farmers. These farmers were severely mistreated while under British administration, which led to their disenfranchisement. Farmers and the government were able to communicate thanks to these modifications. They improved our economy's agricultural sector as a whole. Equity, one of the Five Year Plan's main objectives, was also achieved thanks to land reforms. The country's millions of farmers benefited from the social fairness it brought about. It promoted wealth equality and ensured that farmers reaped the rewards of their own labour. India was handed an agrarian and feudal framework when it gained independence from British rule. A tiny group of wealthy landowners and zamindars controlled the majority of the land, as well as its ownership. Since gaining independence, India has undertaken a lot of attempts to do rid of the corrupt system and give the farmers more authority. Various steps were put into place to better boost agricultural development, including:

1. Eliminating middlemen - The Zamindari system was abolished. More money was invested in agriculture thanks to the "Property to Tillers" policy, which recognised landowners' rights to have their land worked. Tenancy rules were changed to confirm tenants’ rights to conquer spaces and fix a cap over the rent amount that can be demanded. Additionally, this encouraged farmers to take the initiative to increase farm output.

2. Organizing land holdings - Legislation establishing a land ceiling was established to impose a limit on the total quantity of land that a person may acquire. Because it could only organise 2% of the area, it was only partially effective. In support of the Bhoodan and Sarvodaya movement, they suggested that people consider donating land for the good of society.

3. Consolidatiing the land holding - This step was put in place to boost productivity. The South and Eastern States failed, whereas Punjab and Haryana were successful.

4. Collective cooperative-farming - It was suggested to combine the various land holdings within village communities in order to take advantage of economies of scale. It failed because no one was willing to sell their land.

The National Land Records Reform, which was established in 2008 with the goal of updating and digitising land records, has improved transparency and made it evident who is the true landowner.