DMPQ:What possible solutions do you suggest for Land reforms and irrigation? (ECONOMY)

Land reforms:

• Distribute ceiling-surplus and waste lands;

• Prevent diversion of prime agricultural land and forest to corporate sector for non-agricultural purposes.

• Ensure grazing rights and seasonal access to forests to tribals and pastoralists, and access to common property resources.

• Establish a National Land Use Advisory Service, which would have the capacity to link land use decisions with ecological meteorological and marketing factors on a location and season specific basis.

• Set up a mechanism to regulate the sale of agricultural land, based on quantum of land, nature of proposed use and category of buyer.

Irrigation:

• A comprehensive set of reforms to enable farmers to have sustained and equitable access to water.

• Increase water supply through rainwater harvesting and recharge of the aquifer should become mandatory. “Million Wells Recharge” programme, specifically targeted at private wells should be launched.

• Substantial increase in investment in irrigation sector under the 11^th Five Year Plan apportioned between large surface water systems; minor irrigation and new schemes for groundwater recharge.