Describe the importance of agricultural land use in India.

India is predominantly an agricultural country. Different forms of agriculture are practiced in the country which depends upon a variety of physical, environmental and socio-economic conditions. But the most important resource required for the practice of agriculture is land. The importance of agricultural land use in India are as follows –

a) Since agriculture (a primary activity) is purely based on land contribution of land in agricultural output is more compared to its contribution in the outputs in the other sectors. Hence, incidence of poverty in rural areas is directly correlated with the availability of land for agricultural purposes.

b) Landownership adds to the social status in rural areas. It is not only a productive element, its ownership gives social value to the owners and acts as a security for credit, natural hazards or life contingencies.

c) productivity of agriculture is directly related to quality of land. This makes prime fertile land an important resource.