Unlocking agri-potential of FRA lands

For millions of forest-dwelling communities, securing rights over land is a vital milestone. For a tribal household, a parcel of land can mean much more than just a legal right. It can be the foundation of livelihood security — provided that conducive conditions exist to make the land productive and sustainable.

While the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, has strengthened land and livelihood rights of millions of tribals and forest-dwelling communities, the next step is to complement these rights with sustainable agriculture practices, improved soil and water management, institutional support, and market access.

Oilseed and pulses can play a significant role in unlocking the productive potential of FRA-recognised lands. Promoting the cultivation of these crops can turn these lands into more productive and remunerative livelihood assets, while simultaneously strengthening domestic supplies and helping reduce India’s import dependence. The adaptability of pulses and oilseeds to rain-fed and marginal lands make them a suitable choice to improve agricultural productivity and promote climate-resilient agriculture.

The geographical spread of tribal districts across 33 States and Union Territories reflects ecological and socio-economic diversity. These regions also differ in settlement patterns, resource availability and agricultural potential, underscoring the importance of approaches that are responsive to local conditions and development priorities. An analysis based on the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) soil map suggests that several tribal regions are well suited to crops such as soybean, groundnut, sunflower, mustard, chickpea and other pulses. Further, a State-wise cropping pattern analysis shows considerable diversity across tribal regions: paddy and maize dominate the Kharif season, while wheat, gram, mustard, lentil and other pulses are important Rabi crops.

Regional crops namely millets, soybean, cotton, groundnut, sesame, spices, and horticulture crop further reflect local agro-ecological conditions, offering scope for sustainable diversification of oilseed and pulse cultivation on FRA lands.

Scoping the country

The analysis also found that out of 244 tribal districts, 60 districts have major oilseed production potential, 31 have strong pulse production potential, while 23 districts possess favourable conditions for the cultivation of both pulses and oilseeds. Such a spatial alignment of FRA lands with agricultural potential suggests that one needs targeted interventions to expand sustainable pulse and oilseed cultivation in these regions. Expanding access to quality seeds and improved varieties, improving the soil moisture regime, and scientific crop management can strengthen pulse and oilseed production, with potential benefits for farm incomes, nutrition and livelihood resilience. Integrating these measures with FRA land development can make tribal development more resilient and simultaneously strengthen national food security and improve tribal livelihoods, particularly since many tribal districts overlap with aspirational districts.

A region-specific strategy could be adopted to help develop oilseed and pulse production clusters on FRA lands in high-potential tribal districts. Priority measures could include timely and adequate access to certified seeds, improved irrigation and watershed management and stronger agri-extension. Further, investments in local drying, storage, grading and primary processing infrastructure can reduce post-harvest losses and improve value realisation. Empowered and stronger farmer producer organisations, cooperatives, self-help groups and other community institutions in and around tribal regions can facilitate aggregation, value addition and market access. Convergence with programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, National Food Security and Nutrition Mission, National Mission on Edible Oils, Pradhan Mantri Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan and Van Dhan Yojana can broaden institutional support. GIS-based crop planning, together with improved institutional credit, crop insurance and assured procurement can strengthen the overall marketing ecosystem.

The journey from forest rights to livelihood security does not end with land recognition; it begins from there. The productive potential of FRA lands can be strengthened by aligning local agro-ecological conditions with suitable pulses and oilseeds and providing the support needed to cultivate and market them effectively. 

S. Mahendra Dev is Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM). Sushil Kumar Singla is Secretary (Environment, Science Technology and Climate Change), Government of Himachal Pradesh.