Capital frenzy, government’s compensation package and non-availability of agricultural labourers are apparently the factors that contributed largely to the smooth land pooling in the capital region. The Chief Minister, Ministers and Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) officials consider pooling as the first achievement in their effort to build a world-class capital. The State government has even claimed that land pooling was a “smooth sail” with more than 32,100 acre pooled within the stipulated time.
A cursory look at the land pooling and interaction with farmers hint at many factors, which could have been responsible for making it an easy exercise.
Amongst all, shortage of agricultural labourers seems to be major reason if views of farmers such as Tirupati Rao are to be considered.
And, of course, the package announced by the State government has enticed many farmers.
“It is difficult to find agricultural labourers now-a-days. Even if we are ready to pay Rs. 250 to Rs. 300 a day, the workers are not available. Farming has become a difficult proposition in these circumstances. So, most farmers have seen the land pooling a viable opportunity as it also assured future asset in the form of developed commercial land,” says Tirupati Rao of Nelapadu .
Rambabu, farmer from Thullur, says he has leased out his six-acre land to tenant farmers primarily owing to lack of work force. “The package offered by the government is better than leasing out or holding the land for progeny. As a matter of fact, cost of our land appreciated more than 10 times after the announcement of capital here. We are certainly the beneficiaries,” he said.
In some cases, the socio-economic factors have delayed the process of pooling. But, such issues were ironed out with additional packages. “Jareebu farmers (irrigated land farmers) consider themselves better off compared to dry land farmers. So, they didn’t show any interest in package announced initially. But, there was a complete tilt after additional package was announced,” said CRDA Commissioner N. Srikant.
