Tenant farmers in Telangana may form 65% by 2047: Study
Tenancy rising faster than population growth
The analysis, titled “Telangana Agriculture: Livelihood Scenarios The strategic choice scenarios across three horizons 2024 to 2034 and 2047”, found that tenancy is increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%, outpacing population growth. Between 2000 and 2024, tenancy rose by more than 362%, even as average operational landholdings shrank from 1.62 hectares to 1.05 hectares.
Landholdings may dip below viable size
By 2047, average operational landholdings are projected to decline further to 0.9 hectares, well below the viable average of two hectares, the study noted. If current trends continue, tenancy rates could rise by another 43% by 2034.
GV Ramanjaneyulu, director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and a member of the Rythu Commission, said tenant farmers currently have access to only 5% institutional credit. “Without appropriate legal reforms, access to credit will remain at that level even by 2047,” he cautioned.
Poor enforcement of tenancy laws flagged
Experts attributed the trend largely to poor enforcement of tenancy laws. Around 22% of tenant farmers receive no support at all. Ramanjaneyulu said a farmer would need nearly 20 years of earnings to buy just one acre of land, which would still be inadequate due to inflation.
The findings were presented at the Telangana Agriculture Futures workshops organised by the Telangana Rythu Welfare Commission, the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, the Deccan Development Society and the University of Hyderabad.
Rythu Commission chairman Kodanda Reddy said suggestions and opinions from the discussions would be compiled into a report for submission to the state government.
Reforms could reverse trend, say experts
The study noted that the projections assume a continuation of the business-as-usual model. With legal reforms, such as a model land-leasing policy, tenancy rates could be reduced and average landholdings improved. The proposed model aims to protect ownership rights, allowing landowners to lease land without fear of losing title.
Mandatory digitisation of lease agreements, the creation of tribunals for dispute resolution and expanding institutional credit to cover 50% of tenant farmers by 2034 were identified as key measures. Under a reform-and-transition model, tenancy could be cut to 45% and average landholdings raised to 1.5 hectares, the study said.
