(a) whether the Government has conducted any study on the impact of utilisation of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes on foodgrain production and food security scenario in the country;
(b) if so, the details and the outcome of the study thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to limit the diversion of agricultural land for non- agricultural purposes?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI MOHANBHAI KUNDARIA)
(a) & (b): No, Madam. Available data reveals that agricultural/cultivatable land has marginally decreased from 182.68 million hectare (2005-06) to 181.98 million hectare (2011-12) in the country. However, due to various technological interventions, production of foodgrains has increased from 234.5 million tonnes in 2008-09 to 257.1 million tonnes in 2012-13 which has further increased to 264.8 million tonnes in 2013-14 (4th Advance Estimates).
(c): As per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, land falls under the purview of State Governments and, therefore, it is for the State Governments to bring in suitable Policy/Act/Legislation to prevent diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. Government of India has formulated National Policy for Farmers, 2007, National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2007 and Right to Fair Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. These Policies/Act also envisage prevention of diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.