Abstract

There are many temples in the state, which have cultivable land and urban lands to a limited extent, donated to them for earning income to meet their maintenance expenses. These temple owned lands are given on lease to the cultivators and the rent received from them is the major source of revenue to the temples. But the purpose is not served because the rent collection is poor. The Hindu Religions and Charitable Endowment (HR & CE) Department is in overall charge of maintaining records and administering the temple owned lands. These institutions own nearly 191583 hectares (all over Tamil Nadu) of land (HR & CE, Policy Note: 2003-04). Investment of capital is beneficial and inevitable for farm production and more so with the modern technology. When farmers attempt to avail the opportunities opened up by the technological progress in agriculture, farming becomes technology intensive and also capital intensive. Whether it is owner operated or tenant operated, application of technology demands additional investment for acquiring durable productive assets that can improve productive capacity.

Keywords: Investment pattern, temple owned lands