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Land is a finite natural national resource, directly linked with all development activities especially agricultural production. Conversion of land to non-agricultural use is unavoidable with growing population and industrial development. A study was taken to assess the determinant and impacts of agricultural land conversion in Western zone of Tamilnadu which has experienced high level of land conversion. The results indicated that nonagricultural land use concentration increases from 0.65 to 0.86 during period of 1981 to 2010-11. Regression results indicate that industrialization and urbanization are indeed the driving forces behind conversion of agricultural land to non agricultural uses. Production loss analysis revealed probable production losses in groundnut, paddy, pulses, sorghum varying from 10 to 20 percent of existing production. Losses in coconut, gingelly, sugarcane, tapioca would be about five percent of existing production levels.

Keywords: Conversion of agricultural land, Determinants and production losses