Indian Agriculture Since Independence

Indian Agriculture Since Independence, G.S. Bhalla, National Book Trust, New Delhi, 2007. Pp. xi + 348. Rs. 350.00.

This book is a timely publication, particularly in view of the fact that India is now at the end of the second decade of the implementation of the 'new' economic policy. The book, which is essentially a review of the impact of globalisation on agriculture, is a comprehensive starting point for this evaluation. Put at the centre of investigation is the now much neglected and often negated agrarian sector, perceived necessarily within an historical context.

The author has identified fourteen major aspects of the agrarian economy - a difficult job indeed in view of the complexities involved. This review focuses on a few central issues rather than on selected 'chapters'. The first and probably among the most crucial is the pattern of changes in the agrarian structure. Beginning with a necessarily short background of colonial intervention followed by a critical examination of the impact of post-Independence land reforms, Bhalla presents the 'final' picture as it stands today - an indeed dramatic increase in the processes of marginalisation and concentration primarily of operational holdings. The small and marginal peasants account for an overwhelming four-fifths of operational holdings in the post-reform period (2002-03) compared to about two-thirds in 1981-82.

An extremely significant fact that questions the very nature of 'marketisation' as...