Tribal farmers in Maharashtra are set to gain a new opportunity to earn more from their land. The state government plans to introduce a new law that will allow tribal farmers to lease out their land to private companies. This lease can be for agricultural use or for mining purposes. State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule announced this plan, highlighting that it aims to provide tribals with an additional income source while protecting their land ownership.
Currently, tribal farmers face restrictions on directly leasing their land to private entities. This new policy aims to remove those barriers. Mr. Bawankule stated that the law will be brought soon. “Under this policy, tribal farmers will be able to lease out their land directly to private parties for agricultural purposes or mineral excavation,” he said.
The government believes this change will give tribal farmers direct access to private investment. This could lead to better farming practices and higher yields. It also opens up possibilities for generating income from mineral resources found on their land.
To ensure the process is fair and transparent, the district collector will be involved in all lease agreements. The minimum rent for land leased will be Rs 50,000 per acre each year. Alternatively, it will be Rs 1,25,000 per hectare annually. Farmers and the private companies can agree on a higher rent if both parties are happy.
For mining, tribal farmers will be able to sign MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) with private companies. This applies if significant minerals are found on their land. Farmers will receive financial benefits based on the amount of minerals extracted. The exact amount per tonne or per brass of minerals is still being decided.
Mr. Bawankule mentioned that these decisions will be made at the district collectorate level. This means tribal farmers will not need to travel to Mumbai for approvals. This decentralised approach is expected to speed up the process.
Officials explained that the policy is being created to help tribal communities earn a regular income. It also aims to safeguard their rights as landowners. Previously, strict rules on tribal land transactions often caused delays and required state-level permissions. This sometimes led to exploitation. The new law aims to simplify these procedures and ensure farmers benefit directly. This move is seen as a significant step towards empowering tribal farmers and boosting the rural economy in Maharashtra.