23-May-2024-Special-Article

INDIAN MANUFACTURING NEEDS MORE SOPHISTICATION: FINANCE MINISTER 

The recent report by the International Panel of Experts on Sustainable Food Systems (IPES-Food) sheds light on the growing threat of ‘land squeeze,’ where the demand for land outpaces its availability, posing significant challenges to farmers and food production globally. 

Key Highlights of the Report: 

• Rising Land Prices: Between 2008-2022, global land prices doubled, with a particularly notable increase in Central-Eastern Europe, where prices tripled. 
• Concentration of Land Ownership: The top 1% of the world’s largest farms now control 70% of the world’s farmland, leading to concerns about equity and access to land. 
• Impact on Small-Scale Farmers: Over half of the land designated for carbon removal projects poses a risk to the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and Indigenous communities. 
• Green Grabs: Approximately 20% of large-scale land deals are motivated by environmental concerns, leading to land acquisitions under the guise of environmental protection. 
• Carbon Offset Markets: The carbon offset market is expected to quadruple in the next 7 years, further exacerbating the pressure on land resources. 

Global State of Farmland Use: 

• Globally, farmland use faces challenges due to competing demands from agriculture, urbanization, infrastructure, and environmental conservation. 
• The concentration of land ownership and rising land prices exacerbates the issue, impacting food production and food security worldwide. 

Reasons Behind Land Inequality: 

• Unequal Distribution: Land ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few, limiting access for small-scale farmers and rural communities. 
• Land Grabs: Large-scale land acquisitions, often driven by commercial interests, displace local communities and disrupt traditional livelihoods. 
• Environmental Policies: Green grabs, motivated by environmental concerns, can lead to the displacement of small-scale farmers and indigenous communities. 
• Economic Factors: Rising land prices and speculation further marginalize small-scale farmers and contribute to land inequality. 

Status of Land Use in India: 

• In India, land use is influenced by agricultural practices, urbanization, industrialization, and environmental conservation efforts. 
• The National Land Records Modernization Programme (NLRMP) and initiatives like the formation of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) aim to improve land management and empower small-scale farmers. 

India’s Initiatives to Tackle Land Squeeze and Food Insecurity: 

• Land Management: Programs like NLRMP aim to modernize land records and promote efficient land utilization. 
• Productivity Enhancement: Initiatives like the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) focus on improving agricultural productivity and reducing food wastage. 
• Conservation Efforts: Schemes like the Soil Health Card Scheme and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) aim to promote sustainable land and soil management practices. 

Key Impacts of Land Squeeze: 

• Loss of Access for Farmers: Land grabs and rising land prices limit access for small-scale farmers, threatening their livelihoods. 
• Threat to Food Security: With diminishing land resources, overall food security becomes compromised, particularly for vulnerable communities. 
• Environmental Degradation: Unsustainable land use practices contribute to soil depletion, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity. 
• Social Unrest: Competition for land resources can lead to social tensions and conflicts, disrupting community harmony. 

Recommendations of the Report: 

• Regulatory Measures: Policies should be enacted to prevent land grabs and ensure equitable land use decisions. 
• Support for Small-Scale Farmers: Investments in rural infrastructure, secure land tenure, and access to financing can empower small-scale producers. 
• Sustainable Land Management: Practices that protect soil health and conserve biodiversity should be promoted to ensure long-term food production. 
• Fair Trade Policies: Trade agreements should prioritize sustainable agriculture and protect the interests of small-scale farmers. 

Conclusion: 

• Addressing the issue of land squeeze requires a comprehensive approach that tackles the underlying causes and supports small-scale food producers.  
• By promoting equitable access to land, protecting the environment, and empowering local communities, we can build a more sustainable and resilient food system for the future. 

Mains Question: 

1. Discuss the impact of the ‘land squeeze’ phenomenon on small-scale farmers and food security and evaluate India’s initiatives to address these challenges. (150 WORDS)