Hyderabad: Growing concerns have emerged over the rising proportion of tenant farmers in Telangana, projected to reach 65% by 2047, with the average size of landholdings expected to fall below one hectare. According to an analysis titled “Telangana Agriculture: Livelihood Scenarios – The strategic choice scenarios across three horizons 2024 to 2034 and 2047”, the tenancy rate is increasing faster than population growth, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. By 2047, average operational landholdings are expected to decline to 0.9 hectares, compared with a viable average of two hectares. The analysis, presented during 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, revealed that between 2000 and 2024, tenancy increased sharply, while the average operational landholding shrank from 1.62 hectares to 1.05 hectares. “If left unchecked, the tenancy rate will rise by 43% by 2034. Currently, tenant farmers’ access to credit stands at 5%, and without appropriate legal reforms, it will remain at that level through 2047,” cautioned GV Ramanjaneyulu, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture and a member of the Rythu Commission.‘Report to state govt’Several experts and Rythu Commission chairman Kodanda Reddy, along with other members, participated in the workshop. Kodanda Reddy said all suggestions and opinions gathered during the discussions would be compiled into a report to be submitted to the state govt.These trends largely stem from the poor enforcement of tenancy laws. Around 22% of tenant farmers receive no support whatsoever. “A farmer would need to spend nearly 20 years of earnings to purchase just one acre of land, and even that would be inadequate due to inflation,” Ramanjaneyulu said. However, these projections assume a continuation of the business-as-usual model. If legal reforms, such as the introduction of a model land-leasing policy, are implemented, tenant farmers could see significant gains, leading to a reduction in tenancy rates. The proposed leasing model seeks to protect automatic ownership rights, enabling landowners to lease land without fear of losing ownership.In addition, mandatory digitisation of lease agreements could improve transparency. The establishment of tribunals for dispute resolution and expanded access to institutional credit for tenant farmers—targeting 50% coverage by 2034—are also seen as critical measures.
