📄 Abstract
The agricultural land lease market plays a crucial role in shaping the structure and functioning of agrarian economies, particularly in regions where land is scarce, fragmented, and highly valued. In Punjab, land leasing has emerged as an important institutional mechanism for operational consolidation and resource reallocation in agriculture. This study provides a conceptual and literature-based analysis of the nature and structure of the land lease market in Punjab, drawing insights from existing empirical studies and secondary sources. The findings reveal that land leasing in the state is predominantly informal, characterized by oral agreements and short-term arrangements, which limits legal protection and institutional support for tenant farmers. The structure of the lease market shows a clear divergence between ownership and cultivation, where relatively resource-rich farmers tend to lease in land, while small and marginal farmers often lease out due to economic constraints and livelihood diversification. The study also highlights the influence of technological change, commercialization of agriculture, and migration on the evolving tenancy system. Despite its importance in enhancing agricultural efficiency, the informality of the system restricts access to institutional credit, insurance, and government schemes, thereby affecting investment and productivity. Policy initiatives such as the Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act and proposed state-level tenancy reforms aim to formalize leasing arrangements, ensure tenure security, and improve transparency. However, implementation challenges remain significant. The study concludes that strengthening the legal and institutional framework of the land lease market is essential for promoting efficient land use, and ensuring sustainable agricultural development in Punjab.
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📚 How to Cite:
Simran Singh , NATURE AND STRUCTURE OF THE AGRICULTURAL LAND LEASE MARKET IN INDIAN PUNJAB: A CONCEPTUAL AND LITERATURE-BASED ANALYSIS , Volume 14 , Issue 6, June 2026, EPRA International Journal of Agriculture and Rural Economic Research (ARER) , Pages: 7 - 12 ,