Not everyone can buy farmland—and even if you can, there are conversion rules and ceiling limits to watch out for.
Who Can Buy?
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Only farmers or agriculturists can buy agricultural land in most states
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Some states (e.g. Punjab, Rajasthan, UP) allow non-farmers with permission
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NRIs are generally not allowed to buy agricultural land
Conversion Rules
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To use agricultural land for residential or commercial purposes, you must apply for land-use conversion
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Requires approval from district or town planning authority
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Pay conversion charges and get a No Objection Certificate (NOC)
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Without conversion, construction is illegal
Land Ceiling Acts
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States impose limits on how much agricultural land one can own
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Ceiling varies by land type (irrigated, dry, hilly) and state laws
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Example: In Andhra Pradesh, max is 10 acres irrigated or 54 acres dry
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Buying beyond ceiling = illegal acquisition, subject to seizure
