Delegates at the seminar on land policy in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, May 16: Experts pressed for an appropriate land policy for an inclusive rural growth in the state. They were speaking on the first day of the two-day seminar on land policy organised by Bihar Institute of Economic Studies, supported by Rural Development Institute, USA.

“Today, there prevails a real land insecurity,” said T. Haque, former chairman of Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices, Union agriculture ministry. He added that more than 90 per cent farmers belong to the mar- ginal category who own about 0.05 acre.

Haque said even though there have been land reforms that have brought an end to the zamindari system, the fact is that most farmers have not gained economic stability.

“The productivity level in these lands is low, as a result of which they are losing interest further. The prices of land are proving to be another major problem and the marginal farmers are not being able to add another chunk to their land. Therefore, we need a land policy that would work in favour of the people involved in the agro-based industry,” he said. Haque praised the state government for its Mahadalit scheme.

Former chief minister Jagannath Mishra advocated for change in the land-acquisition policy. “The state government should think for some change in the land-acquisition policy. The government has acquired land for various public welfare works like constructing roads. But there have been cases where land has been acquired for the benefit of a particular section of people. In such cases, the state government should ensure that even the farmers get a share of the benefit.”

Roy Posterman, faculty member of Rural Development Institute, USA, spoke about the history of land reforms in Japan, China and Korea, and explained how the policy took shape over the years in these countries.