Modi govt. launches its biggest land reform, legalizes land leasing

The government has rolled out a model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016 that would legalize leasing of land in India. This aims to promote agricultural efficiency, equity and poverty reduction. The model will overrule any other existing Act and would be effective from the date of notification by the respective state.

As per the Act, the land owner can now legally enter into a lease contract with the tenant for use of his/her agricultural land for agriculture and allied activities for a specified period for a consideration based on an agreement with terms and conditions mutually agreed by the owner and the cultivator.

Agriculture and allied activities would include raising of crops including food and non-food crops, fodder or grass; fruits and vegetables, flowers, any other horticultural crops and plantation; animal husbandry and dairy; poultry farming, stock breeding; fishery; agro forestry, agro-processing and other related activities by farmers and farmer groups.

The T Haque-led committee, set up under NITI Aayog last year has formed this Act. It’s being seen as a savior for the government’s failure to enact the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 passed in Parliament.

Image credit: Indiatimes