Farmers’ advocate influences Noida land reforms
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In 2011, Naresh Yadav, as the pradhan (village head) of Sorkha village in Noida, India, led farmers protesting for promised land development and regularisation of village land after their agricultural land was used for urban expansion.
Farmers from seven villages demanded the fulfillment of agreements regarding developed plots and village land rights.
Yadav publicly argued that farmers deserved to share in the benefits of Noida’s development and documented their grievances, leading to a 64 percent increase in compensation and a rise in allotted developed plots from 5 to 10 percent, directed by the Allahabad High Court. The Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code (Amendment) Act of 2026 recently streamlined the process for declaring non-agricultural land use by linking it to development approvals.
However, this new law does not resolve existing disputes regarding land acquisition, compensation, or the regularisation of village land. Yadav’s advocacy in 2011 established a record of farmers’ concerns during a period of rapid development in Noida. The recent legal changes offer an opportunity to address those concerns by ensuring fair treatment of landowners alongside urban planning and investment, building on the principle that sustainable development requires consideration of local communities’ rights and expectations.
