A tale of two villages, one in UP, one in Tamil Nadu: Tracking change, over decades

Use from exam point of view:

1. description of each village can be used as a separate case study or example
2. patterns of change taking place in rural India

Case studies:

Palakurichi

Trends in agriculture

• located in the lower Cauvery delta of the old Thanjavur region.
• historically known as the “rice bowl of South India”
• Mettur dam’s construction in 1934 and the Green Revolution led to agricultural progress.
• Progress declined due to reduced water availability in 1990’s
• This led to change in occupational structure
• The 1983 survey showed 85% of Palakurichi’s workforce to be engaged in farming, whether as landlords, cultivators or labourers. That share dipped and sharply to 43% in the 2019 survey.

Trends in land ownership

In the 1983 survey, the dominant Naidu community constituted 6% of Palakurichi’s population, but owned 86% of land in the village. In 2019, the latter figure was only 30%, even as the population of Naidus shrunk in absolute terms to 40 (out of a total 1,448). This declining dominance has been the rise of the Padayatchi or Vanniyar, a middle caste

Palanpur

Trends in agriculture

•  Workforce diversification away from agriculture: Between 1957-58 and 2015, the share of the non-farm male workforce in the village rose from 8% to 66% in 2015.

Trends in land ownership

• The dominant upper caste Thakurs have seen their supremacy challenged by the Murao or Maurya. Dalits, ownership of the land has shot up from a mere 0.4% to 33% between 1983 and 2019.

BASIC TRENDS IN AGRICULTURE:

• Diversification of Crops:Farmers are increasingly diversifying their crops to reduce dependence on a single crop and mitigate risks associated with climate change and market fluctuations. Adoption of horticulture crops, pulses, and oilseeds has seen growth, contributing to a more balanced agricultural landscape.
• Technological Integration: Agriculture technology, including precision farming, drones, and satellite imaging, is gaining traction. Farmers are using technology for crop monitoring, pest control, and efficient Resource utilization.Digital platforms and mobile apps are providing farmers with real-time information on weather, market prices, and best farming practices.
• Organic Farming: There is a growing interest in organic farming practices. Many farmers are shifting towards organic cultivation to meet the increasing demand for chemical-free produce in domestic and international markets. Government initiatives and certification programs support the expansion of organic farming.
• Agroforestry and Sustainable Practices: Agroforestry, integrating trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, is gaining prominence. It offers ecological and economic benefits, including improved soil fertility, biodiversity conservation, and additional income Sources for farmers. Sustainable farming practices, such as zero-budget natural farming, are being promoted to enhance soil health and reduce input costs.
• Farm Mechanization: There is an increasing adoption of farm machinery and equipment to improve efficiency and reduce the drudgery of manual labor. Mechanized practices, including the use of tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems, contribute to higher productivity.
• Government Initiatives: The government has launched various initiatives to support farmers, such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for income support and the Kisan Credit Card scheme. Schemes like Atmanirbhar Kisan, PM Fasal Bima Yojana, and e-NAM (National Agriculture Market) aim to empower farmers and enhance agricultural marketing.
• Challenges and Concerns: Despite positive trends, challenges persist, including small landholding sizes, water scarcity, price fluctuations, and access to credit. Climate change poses a significant threat to agriculture, impacting crop patterns, yields, and food security.
• Market Diversification: Farmers are exploring diverse markets, including e-commerce platforms, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and direct-to-consumer models, reducing dependency on traditional markets.
• India is becoming less agricultural. The worst forms of extra-economic exploitation by upper caste landlords, which defined the old agrarian regime, no longer exist.

Impacts of exit from agriculture:

Labor Shortage in Agriculture: As the workforce exits agriculture, there is a shortage of labor for farming activities. This can lead to delays in planting, harvesting, and other critical agricultural operations.

Increased Mechanization: To cope with the labor shortage, there is a trend towards increased mechanization in agriculture. Farmers adopt modern machinery and technology to replace manual labor, which can lead to higher efficiency but may also result in job displacement.

Rural-Urban Migration: Workforce exit from agriculture often accompanies rural-urban migration. People move to urban areas in search of non-agricultural employment opportunities, leading to demographic shifts and changes in the composition of rural populations.

Diversification of Livelihoods: The exit from agriculture allows individuals to explore alternative livelihoods and income-generating activities. This diversification can contribute to overall economic development and reduce dependency on agriculture.

Pressure on Urban Infrastructure: Rural-urban migration places pressure on urban infrastructure such as housing, transportation, healthcare, and education. Cities may face challenges in accommodating the influx of people from rural areas.

Shift in Economic Contribution: The exit of the workforce from agriculture signifies a shift in the economic structure of a country. As more people engage in non-agricultural sectors, the contribution of agriculture to the GDP decreases, while other sectors like manufacturing and services gain prominence.

Technology Adoption: Labor scarcity encourages the adoption of advanced agricultural technologies. This includes precision farming, automated irrigation systems, and the use of drones for crop monitoring. Technology-driven agriculture becomes crucial for maintaining productivity.

Aging Agricultural Workforce: The exit of the younger population from agriculture often results in an aging agricultural workforce. This demographic shift may pose challenges as older farmers may have different needs and preferences in terms of technology adoption and farm management.

Land Use Changes: With fewer people engaged in farming, there may be changes in land use patterns. Some agricultural land might be converted for non-agricultural purposes, impacting the overall availability of arable land.

Food Security Concerns: The reduction in the agricultural workforce raises concerns about food security. If not managed effectively, a declining workforce in agriculture could lead to a drop in food production, affecting both domestic and global food supplies.

Policy Implications: Governments need to formulate policies that address the challenges arising from the exit of the workforce from agriculture. This includes measures to enhance agricultural productivity, provide alternative livelihood options, and support rural development.

In summary, the exit of the workforce from agriculture has multifaceted impacts, ranging from changes in farming practices to broader socioeconomic shifts. Effective policies and strategies are essential to manage this transition and ensure sustainable development in both rural and urban areas.

Way forward:

• Need for policies safeguarding landowners from potential legal challenges arising from lease agreements.
• Emphasis on encouraging lessee-cultivators to invest in preserving or enhancing land productivity.
• Ensuring continued and improved cultivation of agricultural lands amid decreasing agriculture dependence.