As a remedy to the problem of fragmented agricultural land holdings, the Vision 2023 document has stated that functional consolidation of land holdings needs to be aggressively initiated in the State to increase the penetration of modern agricultural technologies and improve output. The proposed consolidation will have to be accomplished through cooperative farming, contract farming and other mechanisms, including farmer groups and joint liability groups.
Noting that the reduction in land holding size in Tamil Nadu is directly affecting productivity as the farmer will not be able to afford the investments required for technological improvement, the document cites the case of Punjab where a major increase in agricultural productivity during 1970-1971 to 2005-2006 has been attributed to the average increase in size of land holding from 2.94 hectares to 4.03 hectares.
In Tamil Nadu, the average size of operational land holding reduced from 1.45 ha in 1970-71 to 0.83 ha in 2005-06. During the corresponding period, the share of marginal and small operational land holdings increased from 17.1 per cent to 33.5 per cent and 20.5 per cent to 25.22 per cent respectively while the proportion of large operational land holdings reduced from 13 per cent to 5.73 per cent and the average size of a large operational land hold was only 20.58 ha.
Emphasising the need for market-driven production and processing, it states that systems and institutions will be formulated to promote cooperative farming, contract farming, and industry-linked farming to adapt to the evolving market needs.
Even though the contribution of agriculture to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is now estimated to be around 12 per cent, the sector's importance can be gauged, given the fact that agriculture and allied activities still provide subsistence for around 40 per cent of the State's population.
Development of research and development capabilities at an accelerated rate in areas such as agro engineering, nano technology, bio-engineering and crop extension and the formulation of policy and structural mechanisms to support mechanisation and address constraints in promotion of mechanisation are among other key initiatives.
While stating that the provision of irrigation availability to all cultivable land is an important objective, the document says the focus will be on increasing the area under irrigation and achieving 100 per cent coverage through micro irrigation, water conservation strengthening water structures. Crop specific storage and irradiation facilities will be established across the State for safe and efficient storage.
