Read the following statements - Assertion (A) and Reason (R):

Assertion (A): Just after independence, steps were taken to abolish intermediaries and to make the tillers the owners of land.

Reason(R): Ownership of land would give incentives to the tillers to invest in making improvements in the production of crops.

From the given alternatives choose the correct one:

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

The correct answer is option 1: Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A).

After India gained independence, the government implemented land reforms aimed at abolishing intermediaries, such as landlords and zamindars, and transferring land ownership to the tillers. This was motivated by the belief that ownership of land would provide incentives to the tillers to invest in improving agricultural production.

By owning the land they cultivated, farmers would have a greater stake in its productivity and would be more motivated to invest in inputs like seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation. This ownership would also give them the security and confidence needed to make long-term investments in land improvements, such as building new wells or constructing irrigation channels.

Therefore, the reasoning (R) accurately explains the assertion (A). The land reforms were implemented to provide incentives to the tillers, and ownership of land was expected to motivate them to invest in agricultural production.