Peasant Agriculture in Assam : A Structural Analysis

Contents: Preface. Foreword. 1. Introduction to the Work. 2. Introduction to the Study Region. 3. Land Use Pattern. 4. Crop-Combination Regions. 5. Intensity of Cropping. 6. Agricultural Efficiency. 7. Physical and Biological Factors Affecting Agriculture. 8. The Peasant and the Rural Society. 9. Socio-cultural-Institutional Complex. 10. Land Systems and their Impact on Socio-Economic Structure of Peasantry. 11. Factors of Agricultural Production. 12.       Infrastructural Needs. 13. Summary. 14. Conclusion. Bibliography. Glossary. Appendix. Index.

Peasant Agriculture, the dominant feature of the agrarian economy of Assam, has remained practically static in the post independence period. Undoubtedly the geographical terrain, the existing land tenure system and the traditional orientation of the peasant have been contributing factors to this situation.

And yet, Assam offers tremendous potential for intensive cultivation. The present work addresses itself to analyzing the structural basis of the peasantry. The introduction provides a comprehensive picture of the region, its climate, drainage, population structure and economy. The spatial pattern is delineated in all its aspects-land use, crop combination, intensity of cropping and agricultural efficiency. The problems of agriculture in Assam are compounded by recurrence of floods, drought and soil erosion, which are discussed here at length.

Exploring another dimension of the problem, the study investigates the socio-economic structure and the socio-cultural institutions that typify peasantry-family, caste and class structure, the role of existing laws of inheritance and the stronghold of religion. Turning to the agronomic aspects, the author examines the land tenure system and the factors of agricultural production (land, labour, capital and technology). The study of the infrastructure reveals lacunae in all aspects-rural electrification, irrigation, agrarian, credit, transport, communication and marketing. Essentially problem oriented, this work provides a deep insight into the problems of the peasantry in Assam. Geographers, rural sociologists, agriculturists, agricultural economists as well as those involved in agricultural planning will find this an invaluable work.(jacket)