Dynamics of Tenant Farming in India

Abstract

Tenancy, a system of farming wherein the owner of the land (Landlord) engages someone (Tenant) to carry out agricultural operations is declining over the year. Most of the state had placed restrictions on land leasing in one or the other form, land leasing is still prevalent, albeit in concealed form. Though fixed money leasing is increasing at a rapid pace, sharecropping was a predominant form among the various forms of tenancy in the past. An effort has been made to understand the current status of tenancy in the country, state-wise extent of tenancy and distribution of lease-in area by terms of leasing among tenant farmer in various states of the country. The study concluded that the removal of the restriction on a land lease can help in improving the agricultural efficiency by improvement in tenurial security, optimum utilization of land, labour and other resources, occupational mobility and increased access to land on land lease for livelihood. It also points out how the legalization of land would accelerate the pace of inclusive rural growth.