The total agricultural area in Uttarakhand has declined by nearly 16% since the formation of the state in 2000, the state government informed the Assembly in a written reply.
The net sown area – land actually cultivated with crops – has decreased from 7.70 lakh hectares in 2000 to 5.27 lakh hectares at present, while fallow land – agricultural land left uncultivated for a period – has increased from 1.07 lakh hectares to 2.08 lakh hectares, the reply said.
The government was responding to a question from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Doiwala, Brij Bhushan Girola.
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“At the time of formation of Uttarakhand state, the agricultural area was 8.77 lakh hectares (net cultivated area 7.70 lakh hectares and fallow land 1.07 lakh hectares), which currently stands at 7.35 lakh hectares (net cultivated area 5.27 lakh hectares and fallow land 2.08 lakh hectares),” the government said.
The legislator had asked about the area of agricultural land present in the state at the time of its formation and what is the remaining area of it at the present time.
Gerola also wondered whether the state’s farmland was turning into a “concrete jungle.”
In its response, the government said that urbanization and increased demand for residential and industrial purposes are leading to changes in land use.
Asked whether the government has prepared any plan to address the decline in farmland, she said the ministry is implementing several schemes for farmers, including the State Millet Policy, Highly Intensive Apple Horticulture Scheme, Kiwi Policy, Dragon Fruit Policy, Mahak Kranti Aromatic Farming Policy, besides several centrally and state sector sponsored schemes.
