Makes way for implementation of new technolgies in agriculture

The Karnataka governor has signed the Land Reforms (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 with important changes to the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, 1961.

The ordinance eases restrictions on buying and selling of agricultural land in the state by doing away with sections 63, 79A, 79B and 79C in the Land Reforms Act which put severe restrictions on the ownership of agricultural land.

The amendment now allows a company, trust or an institution to buy agricultural land through its non agricultural income. Under the original law an agriculturist could sell his/her land only to another agriculturist.

The ordinance has been strongly opposed by the Congress party and several farmer organization because of the apprehension that it can adversely affect the farmers of the state. Meanwhile, the government is of the view that the reforms will benefit the farmers by helping them escape from the harassment of officials and improve the profile of agriculture in the state.

It has also asserted that many people who want to implement the latest technologies in agriculture were unable to do so because of the Reforms Act.