The issue concerning land reform has occupied prominent place in Nepal. This issue had long been raised by different political forces and parties. The demand for land reforms was raised immediately after the political change in 1951 when a multi-party era replaced the 104-year-old Rana oligarchic system. During that period, the land holding system was based on feudal tradition. Landlords and feudal lords owned big plots of land whereas the real tillers or farmers were denied ownership of the land. The end of such feudal ownership of land was necessary in order to enhance production and productivity in agriculture. In view of this necessity, BP Koirala, the first democratically elected prime minister of Nepal, had introduced revolutionary land reforms when he was in power. However, his attempts did not succeed as his government was dismissed by the then king. Later the partyless Panchayat regime also introduced land reforms, but they also failed to solve the problems relating to land reforms, land use and management. Even now the land reform issue is being raised by the farmers, political parties and other organisations working for the rights and interest of small farmers.

Against this background, luminaries from different sectors gathered at a seminar on land reforms and management held in the capital on Thursday and called for scientific land reforms. Nepal is an agricultural country but agricultural productivity is not satisfactory, which is often attributed to the distorted land distribution and ownership system. The concept of a land bank was also mooted in the past in order to manage land distribution and its utilisation more effectively and judiciously in the country. However, this concept was not implemented. As a result, the issue continues to be problematic.

The issue of landless squatters and rights of tillers was made a slogan by some political parties. But genuine efforts were never made to address this issue permanently. Instead, this issue became only more complicated. With the rapid growth of population, the land is being fragmented, causing a decline in productivity. The country has not been able to take maximum benefit and raise productivity from farm land in the absence of an effective land utilisation and management system. Thus, a proper, effective and scientific land management system and reforms are necessary in order to raise agricultural production and productivity. In view of the seriousness of the problem, an effective scheme must be introduced to end the problem related to land and landless squatters once and for all.

source: Editorial, risingnepal,22 Oct 2011