How do you measure total cultivable land?
Total cultivable land is measured by adding up the net sown area, all fallow lands, and culturable wasteland. This estimation represents the total stock of agricultural land resources available for use.
The net sown area refers to the physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested. Fallow lands include both current fallow (left uncultivated for one year or less) and other fallow (left uncultivated for more than a year but less than five years).
Finally, culturable wasteland is added to this total. This category includes land left uncultivated for more than five years which can be brought under cultivation through reclamation practices.
Explanation
The textbook explicitly states that an estimation of the total stock of agricultural land resources (total cultivable land) is arrived at by adding net sown area, all fallow lands, and culturable wasteland. The answer breaks down these components as defined in the provided context (net sown area for harvested crops, fallow lands for resting land, and culturable wasteland for reclaimable land).
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the components of cultivable land as per the text: Net sown area, all fallow lands, and culturable wasteland.
Step 2: Define Net Sown Area (physical extent of land on which crops are sown and harvested).
Step 3: Define Fallow Lands (Current Fallow and Fallow other than Current Fallow).
Step 4: Define Culturable Wasteland (land uncultivated for more than five years that is reclaimable).
Step 5: Combine these components to explain the measurement of total cultivable land.