The Government is planning to initiate measures to curb diversion of productive agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes, according to Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Pawar, who heads the Group of Ministers on land acquisition, said there was a broad thinking among the members on preventing conversion of agriculture land, except for public purpose.

Rapid urbanisation, driven by rising population, is exerting pressure on diversion of productive agriculture land for housing and industrial purposes, triggering a wave of protests by the farming community across the country.

Terming the diversion of agriculture land as a serious problem, Pawar said there was need to take steps to prevent its for non-agriculture purpose.

“As arable land shrinks, we have to focus on improving productivity through higher output and irrigation” he said in reply to a query.

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