Files
Abstract
In the newly born state of Chhattisgarh a large number of land buyers have become actively engaged in the
villages located along the national highway and at the periphery of Raipur city, the capital of Chhattisgarh
to purchase prime agricultural land. In view of the fast emerging land markets after the formation of the
state, it is imperative to understand the role of market and non-market forces in transaction of prime
agricultural land for non-agricultural uses and transactions within the agriculture sector. This study is an
attempt in this direction. The study has been conducted in the Jora, Labhandi, Serikhedi and Dharampura
villages of Dharsiwa block in Raipur district of Chhattisgarh state. These villages are located on both
sides of Mumbai-Raipur-Kolkatta National Highway No.6 and are in the close periphery of the Raipur
city. Two-stage least square technique of simultaneous equation system has been used to estimate demand
and supply relationship in land market. Total owned land of seller and the price of land have been reported
as the two important determinants of supply relations in land sale market. Similarly, the ownership of total
owned land of buyers and non-farm income of buyer are major determinants of demand for agriculture
land. Also, distances from National Highway, revenue grades and land sold under distress have been
found important factors. The linear trends in land sale and land prices have indicated that area of the land
for sale has increased year after year. Prices of land have also increased year after year. The most important
factors which have forced the farmers to sell out their lands have been identified as functioning of aggressive
land market forces, extremely poor capital base of the farmers, desire to construct their houses, increasing
addiction to alcohol and inclination towards starting non-agricultural enterprises or professions, landhunger
tendency of urban businessmen and colonizers. The study has suggested that certain effective
legislations and institutional measures will have to be introduced and enforced for non-transfer of agricultural land.