Land Holdings in India

• Land holdings in the marginal category (less than 1 ha. ie 2.5 acres) constitute 67 per cent of the operational holdings in the country (2010-11). ). In terms of area operated, the share of marginal holdings has doubled to 22 per cent (2010-11)  from a mere 9 per cent (1970-71)
• Small farmer = 1 to 2 ha
• Small and marginal holdings together, constitute 85 per cent in terms of number of operational holdings and 44 per cent of the operated area in the country.
• Thus, over the period, the marginal category has emerged as a distinct and dominant class by itself. Hence, farm mechanisation suited to the needs and requirements of marginal and small farmers is required.
• The average size of large category land holdings indicate that huge potential exists to scale up agriculture wherein corporatisation of agriculture can be an independent intervention that can trigger the sector.

Source: NABARD Rural Pulse document 2014