| Abstract: | There will be an increasing demand for additional capital as the pattern of landownership changes. In the past it was easier t o acquire on the death of a landowner a large block of land but as this land becomes broken up and becomes less homogeneous as far as landownership is concerned, this will give rise t o many social and economic problems. Undoubtedly the dead hand of the past lies heavily on the present and future pattern of British agriculture. There is a need for a change in attitude towards the new class of landowners, and for research on the implication of continuing policies that were initiated in times when there was reaction against landownership held by a few privileged individuals. It is hkely that if attention is not paid to these aspects we are likely to see landownership being transferred to institutional bodies. The past system of landownership on a personal basis will be replaced by various institutional arrangements on a very impersonal basis. Owner-occupiers (particularly those above 600 S.M.D.) faced with increasing charges for purchasing and servicing of landlord responsibilities will be forced to intensify their production and may demand greater support from government sources. It is suggested that as an immediate measure in addition to collecting information on a net farm income basis, data should be collected on the networth of individual farm businesses as well as of the industry as a whole. Non-agriculutural presswes en on land values need tc be considered. In the marginal areas part-time farming, together with tourism, or integration with other pursuits such as afforestation, appear to be sound enough proposals in general, but difficult to implement for the individual. More research work is required to assist us to deal with this problem of change of landownership and its interaction on the competing demands for capital. |
