Punjab Land Truth – Part 1
Punjab has long been known as India’s food bowl, with agriculture forming the backbone of its economy and social fabric. Yet over the past decade, a quiet but significant transformation has been underway: the gradual reduction of agricultural land and a visible change in land ownership patterns. While fields are not disappearing overnight, official records and policy trends suggest a steady shift that is raising concerns among farmers, policymakers, and experts alike.
What Is Changing on the Ground?
Punjab’s agricultural land is increasingly being sold, fragmented, or diverted for non-farming purposes, particularly around urban centres and growth corridors. Revenue department records and land registration trends indicate that farmland transactions have increased in areas close to cities, highways, and industrial zones.
Who Is Legally Allowed to Buy Agricultural Land in Punjab?
Unlike some Indian states that restrict farmland purchases to registered agriculturists, Punjab follows a relatively open model. Residents of India can purchase agricultural land subject to ceiling limits under the Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972. Companies and institutional entities are also permitted to buy agricultural land if it is used for agriculture-related purposes. Non-resident Indians, however, are generally not allowed to purchase agricultural land except through inheritance or specific approvals.
What the Law Says
Two key laws govern agricultural land in Punjab:
• The Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887
• The Punjab Land Reforms Act, 1972
While these laws aim to regulate ownership and prevent excessive concentration, they do not stop gradual consolidation or long-term conversion driven by market pressures.
Public Debate and Political Concerns
The issue of land ownership has entered political debate, with some leaders and farmer groups expressing concern that unrestricted land purchases may dilute local agricultural control. At the same time, the state has also moved to monetise government land to manage fiscal pressures, adding complexity to the debate.
Why This Matters to Punjab
For farmers, shrinking farmland means rising prices, fragmented holdings, and reduced agricultural viability for future generations. For Punjab as a whole, the challenge lies in balancing development needs with food security and rural employment.
Unanswered Questions
Is the state adequately tracking who is buying agricultural land and for what purpose? Are cumulative CLU approvals being assessed for long-term impact? And does Punjab need a clearer land-protection vision as urbanisation accelerates?
Closing Line
As Punjab changes, the question is no longer whether farmland is changing hands — but whether the state can protect what remains while planning responsibly for the future.