All land that belongs to our country is divided into several categories. Such a separation is enshrined in law and regulated by the Land Code of the Russian Federation. This must be done in order to establish control over the intended use of land. The most common category is agricultural land. To the question of what agricultural land is, the law of our country can give them a definition, while classifying the land by variety and use.
General definition
The category of those lands that have agricultural purpose includes plots that are not part of towns and cities. Agricultural land of the Russian Federation is intended for the implementation of a variety of agricultural work. Agricultural territories are in second place in terms of area among all categories, giving the leading position only to forest areas.
The area of agricultural land in Russia is about 386 million hectares. To understand how large this figure is, we note, for example, that the lands of settlements occupy only 200 million hectares in Russia. These territories are well controlled by our country, despite the size of agricultural land in Russia. Agricultural land is a strategically important and protected land in our state.
Speaking about what agricultural land is, it is also worth noting that they are a very valuable resource and source of production. Therefore, it is so important to use these territories for their main purpose, avoiding any cluttering and pollution, deterioration of soil composition, as well as exposure to soil of harmful factors. All these are the main reasons for the reduction of agricultural land. Therefore, the state conducts such strict control.
The concept and composition of agricultural land
The agricultural land category includes several types of land areas. The structure and purpose of agricultural land have a number of features.
First of all, this should include farmland, territories for on-farm roads and communications, plots planted with shrubs and trees, land with water bodies, as well as plots occupied by agricultural buildings.
Farmland
Considering what agricultural land is, we note that they represent the most fertile plots of land that provide the state with food, so they have priority status and are well protected. Special control is exercised over farmland with artificial irrigation, over those that are used by research institutes of any level, as well as over lands that have a high cadastral value.
Depending on the functions, especially valuable productive agricultural land is divided into:
- arable land;
- haymaking;
- pastures and others.
The most fertile territories that are endowed with valuable mineral resources include arable land. They are a type of land that is cultivated every year and then cultivated on it various crops.
Haymaking is used only for the purpose of harvesting hay for the winter. Sowing and harvesting in such areas, as a rule, does not occur. Although they sometimes create artificial haymaking.
Pastures are generally not sown and cultivated. Such sites are used only for cattle grazing.
Speaking about what agricultural land is, it is also necessary to distinguish their various types:
- Low quality;
- medium quality;
- High Quality.
On agricultural land, you can only build the buildings and structures that are required to carry out agricultural activities. The construction of residential or industrial facilities in such territories is strictly prohibited.
Under on-farm roads and communications
This category includes roads that are required for access and maintenance of agricultural land. Their placement must meet certain standards. On-farm routes, depending on their purpose, are divided into several types:
- connecting agricultural objects with each other;
- connecting agricultural facilities with main roads;
- field auxiliary routes, through which individual lands and their parts will be serviced.
At the same time, internal roads should occupy a minimum of area. They include:
- directly to the lane where the roadway will be;
- channels for water disposal;
- a safety lane, which should be 1 m away from each side of the road.
Lands planted with shrubs and trees
This includes areas that have been planted with shrubs and trees to protect the environment from the effects of negative factors. Such protective forest belts are formed in summer cottages and horticultural farms, around fields, along railways and highways. Updating and felling of crops occurs only if there is agreement with local authorities.
With water bodies
Territories on which closed water bodies are located are included in the composition of agricultural lands only if they are located within the boundaries of these lands. It is worth noting that ponds or lakes can be used both for breeding fish and for irrigation of fields located near. Such objects are divided into reservoirs of artificial and natural origin.
Land occupied by agricultural buildings
To effectively carry out agricultural activities, auxiliary buildings will be required. They do not belong to residential buildings and are not intended to store and carry out primary processing of grown products there. For these purposes, not so fertile sites should be allocated. In addition, there is a second criterion, which is important - logistics. Finding a building should be convenient and accessible for a specific pool of surrounding cultivated areas.
Agricultural land use
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, agricultural land can be used for several purposes. The main reasons for their use are:
- implementation of agricultural activities by enterprises;
- the formation of personal or farming enterprises there;
- growing fruit and vegetable crops;
- formation of a country partnership;
- growing and reproduction of fish and animals;
- implementation of research activities.
Features of agricultural land
Farmland has a number of features when compared with other types of agricultural land. The most fertile territories are under the careful protection of the state, as they are considered the country's national heritage and an important resource.
They can use such territories only for their intended purpose, that is, in order to carry out agricultural activities there. Inappropriate use will be punishable by law.
Agricultural land of the Russian Federation, characterized by a high cadastral value, will not be subject to transfer to other categories of the territory. The construction of any type of building in these areas, which are protected by the state, is strictly prohibited. However, there are exceptional cases that are agreed with the local authorities. They mean the transfer to another category of farmland land with poorer quality soil and low cadastral value.
Redistribution fund
The Land Redistribution Fund is a single database of agricultural territories that are temporarily out of circulation, that is, are not used for their intended purpose. The main function of this fund is the formation of farmland and their future transfer to legal entities or individuals under specific conditions. This is necessary so that agricultural land does not stand idle for a long time, since it is considered economically unprofitable. Agricultural territory may be included in the distribution fund under certain conditions:
- if the owner voluntarily abandoned the site;
- if there are no heirs of the land after the death of the owner;
- if the territory was forcibly taken from the owner by the state.
Ownership of agricultural land
They have the right to take ownership of land belonging to the category of agricultural significance, both individuals and legal entities. At the same time, the former use the territory for farming. Legal entities also equip farms, summer partnerships, agricultural enterprises and much more at these sites.
During the purchase of agricultural land, the owner becomes the owner of the following rights:
- inherit your plot;
- sell;
- to lease;
- pledged;
- to give.
According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, foreign citizens as well as foreign companies can also act as owners. In addition, stateless persons can become owners.
Provision of territory
The provision of agricultural land for use implies the transfer of such plots for rent so that they are used for their intended purpose. In parallel with this, allotments remain in state ownership. To get an agricultural plot, you need to apply to the appropriate authorities, collect the necessary documentation, wait a while for a decision to be made, and then conclude a lease.
Withdrawal
In some cases, the state also has the right to forcibly seize agricultural land from the owner. Such a decision can only be made after consideration by the court and can also be challenged at the appropriate time. The main reasons for the seizure may be:
- the site has not been used for its intended purpose for three or more years;
- the territory is used irrationally, which causes a decrease in soil fertility and a deterioration in the quality of the agricultural plot.
Conclusion
Agricultural land should only be used for its intended purpose. The country at the legislative level has the right to distribute territories between users in order to increase their rational use.
