The Hindu Business Line : Average size of land holding declines in AP

The average size of holding dipped to 1.25 hectares in 2000-01 from 1.36 hectares in 1995-96. The number of holdings is likely to show a further decline when the State goes for a census of land holdings next month.

Hyderabad , Aug. 30

With the number of operational agricultural land holdings in Andhra Pradesh increasing sharply over the years, the average size of holdings is gradually decreasing, making agriculture uneconomical.

The average size of holding dipped to 1.25 hectares in 2000-01 from 1.36 hectares in 1995-96, showing a decline of 8.09 per cent.

One of the important reasons for the decline is sub-division and fragmentation as families get divided and multiplied.

From 54.2 lakh holdings in 1970-71, the holdings were more than doubled to 115.31 lakh in 2000-01. But during the period, the area of agricultural operation showed no significant increase.

From 135.86 lakh hectares in 1970-71, the area grew just to 143.99 lakh ha, signalling a sharp decline in the average size of holding. The number of holdings is likely to show a further decline when the State goes for a census of land holdings next month. The survey would begin on September 15 and likely to be completed in one month.

Global effort

The census, conducted every five years, had begun in 1970-71 in India as part of the UN initiative.

The findings of Andhra Pradesh census would be integrated to the nation-wide effort, guided by the Union Ministry of Agriculture. The smaller size of land holdings would mean increased input costs and decreased scope for mechanisation.

Even more disturbing was that average land holdings of marginal and small farmers showed decline.

Interestingly, the area operated by Scheduled Castes had gone up to 11.33 lakh hectares in 2001 from 10.66 lakh ha in 1996.

Upcoming census

The upcoming census would capture vital attributes like tenancy, land utilisation, irrigation and cropping pattern.

Besides it would focus on vital information like availability of inputs, public godowns, cold storage facilities, seed dealers, access to formal agricultural credit institutions, regulated mandis and road connectivity.

"This information would be handy when the country prepares for the next Plan," Dr Saroja Rama Rao, Director of Directorate of Economics and Statistics of Andhra Pradesh told Business Line.

Follow-up

After the primary census, the officials would take a sample of 20 per cent holdings and observe the status of tenancy legislation.

And a year later, the officials would conduct `Input Survey,' covering 20 per cent of villages. It would gauge cost of cultivation crop wise.

More Stories on : Trends | Cultivation | Andhra Pradesh

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Average size of land holding declines in AP