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National Agriculture Policy

Land Use :

Government has the primary responsibility of ensuring optimum use of land. Although land is a privately owned property in general, its use has to be compatible with the overall social goals and utility. Moreover, it is important to consider that the interests of small and marginal farmers and the sharecroppers are protected as they constitute the majority of farmers.

Following steps will be taken to ensure planned utilization of land for crop production:

• Land zoning program will be taken up by the Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI) on a priority basis. Integrated approach of SRDI will be further strengthened for this purpose.
• To ensure maximum utilization of land, bottom up planning through people’s participation and its implementation will be started from the mouza or village level.
• In most areas the same land is suitable for more than one crop. Therefore, farmers will be encouraged to grow more profitable crops as an alternative to only rice-rice cropping pattern.
• Fertile agricultural land is going out of cultivation due to its use for non-agricultural purposes such as private construction, house building, brick field, etc. Appropriate measures will be taken to stop this trend in the light of the Land Policy of the government.
• Maximum utilization of land will be ensured through promotion of inter-cropping with the main crops.
• Acquisition of land in excess of requirement for non-agricultural purposes will be discouraged.
• Programs will be taken up to motivate the land owners not to keep their land unused without any acceptable reason.
• Appropriate measures will be taken in the light of the Land Policy so that the interests of small and marginal farmers and the sharecroppers are protected and that the agricultural land is not kept fallow for a long period.