Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Introduce the importance of land reforms in promoting rural equity and agricultural growth.
• In body, analyze the role of land reforms in reducing rural inequality and fostering inclusive growth, followed by an evaluation of recent interventions.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction:

Land reforms have been central to addressing rural inequality and promoting inclusive agricultural growth in India. With 95% of rural land records digitized under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) by 2024, the government has significantly improved land administration, transparency, and access to legal and financial resources for farmers.

Body:

Land Reforms and Redistribution:

• Land Redistribution: Land reforms, including land ceiling laws and abolition of intermediaries, aimed to redistribute land from large landowners to marginal and landless farmers.
  • These measures have reduced concentration of land ownership and allowed the marginalized to access productive resources.
• Tenancy Reforms: Tenancy protection laws secured tenant farmers’ rights, reducing exploitative practices and encouraging investment in land improvements.
  • Secure tenure has provided farmers with better access to credit, subsidies, and crop insurance, which has contributed to increased agricultural productivity.

Technological and Policy Interventions:

• DILRMP and Digitization: The DILRMP has digitized land records in over 6.26 lakh villages, reducing land disputes and increasing transparency.
  • This has enabled farmers to access legal services and institutional credit more efficiently.
• ULPIN and Land Ownership: The introduction of Unique Land Parcel Identification Numbers (ULPIN) or Bhu-Aadhaar provides a 14-digit geotagged ID for land parcels, ensuring ownership security and reducing property-related conflicts.
  • This measure also supports climate-resilient land planning.
• E-Governance and Legal Access: The integration of e-courts in 26 States has expedited the resolution of land disputes, while National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS), adopted by 18 States, enables online property registration, streamlining land transactions.
• Inclusive Land Records: The transliteration of land records into 22 constitutional languages ensures better accessibility for farmers in rural areas, empowering them to assert their legal land rights and participate more effectively in the formal economy.

Promoting Investment in Agriculture:

• Secure Digital Titles and Farmer Benefits: With secure digital land titles, farmers are now able to invest in land improvements and adopt technology-intensive farming practices.
  • They can also participate in government schemes like PM-KISAN for financial support and Fasal Bima Yojana for crop insurance.
• Policies like SVAMITVA and Model Tenancy Act: The SVAMITVA scheme, using drone technology, is issuing ownership titles to rural landholders, while the Model Tenancy Act (2021) aims to create a balanced system for land leasing, benefiting both landlords and tenants.

Remaining Challenges:

• Fragmentation and Implementation Gaps: Despite progress, land fragmentation, resistance to redistribution, and patchy implementation at the state level have limited the success of land reforms.
  • These issues persist in states like Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, where large landowners retain disproportionate control over land.

Conclusion:

Land reforms, supported by technological interventions and policies, have contributed to reducing rural inequality and promoting inclusive growth. However, uniform implementation, capacity building, and expanded access to technology remain crucial for ensuring that land reforms reach their full potential in fostering sustainable and equitable agricultural development.