Land Reform 1964

a) Objectives:

• A more equitable distribution of cultivable land
• Improvement in the living condition of the actual tillers by providing them technology and resources necessary to increase production.
• To direct un productive capital and human resources from land to other sectors of economy

b) Main Feature of Land Reform 1964

• Ceilings were fixed on ownership lf land as 17ha in Terai, 4.11 ha in Hills and 2.67ha in Kathmandu valley. All lands in excess of the ceiling were to be acquired by the government for redistribution to the tillers and landsides.
• Tenancy rights were to be granted to all those who had tilled the land as tenants for one main crop season. Ceilings on tenancy holdings were also fixed at 2.67 ha in Terai, 1.02 ha in Hills, 0.5 ha in Kathmandu valley.
• Tenancy rights were secured and no tenant could be evicted as long as the continued to full fill the conditions laid down by law.
• Maximum rent payable to landowners was fixed at 50% of anuual produce, which was later charged to 50% of the main crops.
• All repayments of agricultural loans were readjusted.
• The Zamindari systems under which the Zamindars (Landlords) used to collect land revenue form other holders on behalf of Government, was also abolished.

Issues of Farming and Food Security

• The most prominent difficulty faced by farmers of Nepal is that of the terrain and environment in which they live.
• Population pressures have forced farmers to clear more land, leading to deforestation that has adverse effects especially on the fragile mountain environment.
• Not only does deforestation increase the likelihood of landslides, but it also reduces the watershed area leading to drinking and irrigation water shortages, decreases the supply of fodder for livestock and firewood for cooking and heating purposes.
• Such problems further degrade the ability of the subsistence farming system practiced in Nepal to provide for the food needs of villagers.
• This increase in production has not been able to meet the ever increasing food needs of the people due to increase in population and the domestic food supply on Nepal is getting bad.

Table: Cropping Patterns in Different Agro-ecological Zones

Source: Manandhar & Shakya (1996),p.18.