Question

Composition of Total Cultivable Land
Agricultural Land use Categories	As a percentage of Reporting Area		As a percentage of total Cultivable Land
	1950-51	2014-15	1950-51	2014-15
Culturable waste land	8.0	4.0	13.4	6.8
Fallow other than current fallow	6.1	3.6	10.2	6.2
Current fallow	3.7	4.9	6.2	8.4
Net area sown	41.7	45.5	70.0	78.4
Total Cultivable Land	59.5	58.0	100.00	100.00

1. Mention the reason for the decrease in cultivable waste land in 2014-15 as compared to 1950-51.
2. Mention the reason for the increase in current fallow during 2014-15 as compared to 1950-51.
3. Explain the reason of continuous increase in net area sown.

Answer 1

1. The area under cultivable wasteland has reduced due to improvements in agricultural technology. Since agricultural land is limited, the use of fertilizers and irrigation has helped bring wasteland back under cultivation. As a result, there has been a significant decline in cultivable wasteland between 1950-51 and 2014-15.
2. The increase in current fallow land in 2014-15 compared to 1950-51 is mainly because of soil degradation, loss of fertility, shortage of water, and excessive rainfall. These factors force farmers to leave land uncultivated temporarily so that it can recover.
3. The continuous rise in net sown area is due to population growth, expansion of agriculture, development of irrigation facilities, and improved farming methods, which have increased the use of land for cultivation.