Lok Sabha Question No. 2713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Conversion of Agricultural Land into Commercial Land
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Delkar Kalaben Mohanbhai, Dr. Shivaji Bandappa Kalge, Shri Bhumare Sandipanrao Asaram, Shri Nilesh Dnyandev Lanke, Shri Gyaneshwar Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2713

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 th  DECEMBER, 2025

## CONVERSION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND INTO COMMERCIAL LAND

2713.  SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:

SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:

SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:

SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE:

DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA KALGE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of loss of agricultural land due to land acquisition for infrastructure and industrial  projects  across  the  various  States  of  the  country  during  the  last  five  years, State-wise and particularly in Dadra and Nagar Haveli;

- (b) the criteria for compensating farmers against the loss of agricultural land;

(c) whether the Government is aware of the impact of conversion of agricultural land into commercial land on long term food security in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) &  (b):   Land and agriculture are the state subjects, as per Entry No. 18 of List II (State List)  of  the  Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Both the Central and State Governments  undertake  land  acquisition  for  industrial projects and  infrastructure development. As per the latest report on 'Land Use Statistics-at a Glance 2023-24', the Gross Cropped Area has expanded significantly, rising from 201.3 million hectares in 2013-14 to 217.8 million hectares in 2023-24. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare  does  not  centrally  maintain  data  on  agricultural  land  acquired  for  various purposes.

The  Central  Government  has  enacted  the  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation & Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013, which came into force on 01.01.2014. Under this act, land can be acquired for public purposes. Section 10 of the Act explicitly restricts the acquisition of multi-crop irrigated land, unless in exceptional cases where no alternative land is available. In such cases, an equivalent area of culturable wasteland shall be developed for agricultural purposes or an amount equivalent to the value of the land acquired shall be deposited with the appropriate Government for investment in agriculture for enhancing food-security. The RFCTLARR  Act,  2013,  strongly  discourages  such  conversions  unless  absolutely necessary. Wherever agricultural land is acquired, compensatory mechanisms, including monetary  compensation,  rehabilitation  and  resettlement  benefits,  and  in  some  cases, land for land compensation, are provided to mitigate the impact on farmers.

(c)  &  (d)  :  Land  being  a  State  subject,  it  is  primarily  the  responsibility  of  the  State Governments to take appropriate measures to increase the area under cultivation and prevent the diversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes. The RFCTLARR Act, 2013, has special provision to safeguard the food security of the country which interalia provides to minimize the acquisition of multi-cropped irrigated land and to define the limits for acquisition of agricultural land in aggregate for all projects in a district or State. In  addition,  the  Government  of  India  supports  States  through  policy  initiatives  and budgetary assistance. To ensure food security of the country, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is implementing several schemes with the objective of increasing food grains  production  through  area  expansion  and  productivity  enhancement.  These government initiatives and technological advancements have contributed to a continuous rise in cropping intensity. Cropping intensity increased from 142.5% in 2013-14 to 156.8% in  2023-24,  reflecting  a  positive  shift  toward  multiple  cropping  practices,  highlighting farmers' enhanced ability to cultivate the same land more than once annually. The food grain production has risen significantly, from 265.05 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 357.73 million tonnes in 2024-25. Horticulture production has also increased from 277.35 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 369.05 million tonnes in 2024-25 (third advanced estimates).

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