Explain the need and type of land reforms implemented in the agriculture sector.
The need for land reforms in India was very necessary due to the following reasons:
1. Land Tenure System: There were three types of land tenure systems namely, the Zamindari System, the Mahalwari System and the Ryotwari System prevalent in the Indian agricultural sector at the time of independence. The common feature of these three systems was that the land was mostly cultivated by the tenants and the land revenues were paid by them to their landlords. This led to the exploitation of tenants in the form of exorbitant rents.
2. Size of Land Holdings: The size of land holdings owned by the farmers was very small. In addition, the land holdings were fragmented. This obstructed the use of modern techniques.
3. Lack of Initiative: As most of the land was owned by the landlords, so the farmers lacked initiative and neither had enough means to undertake mechanised methods of cultivation.
4. Traditional Approach and Low Productivity: Indian farmers used to rely on the conventional and the traditional inputs and methods and climatic conditions that hampered the productivity of the agricultural sector.
5. Absence of Marketing System: Due to the absence of a well developed marketing system, the farmers used to rely on the intermediaries to sell their product in the market. These intermediaries used to purchase the farm products at a very low price and sell them at higher prices at market. Consequently, the correct profit share did not accrue to the farmer and, hence, this led to the lack of finance and investment on the farm.
6. Nature of Farming: The basic motive for farming was for subsistence. That is, farming was done basically to earn survival and not for sale and to earn profit. Due to the above problems in the Indian agriculture, it was very necessary to undertake land reforms.
Land reforms comprise of the following steps:
1. Abolishing Intermediaries: The prime focus of land reforms was to abolish intermediaries like Zamindars, Jagirdars, etc. There were many steps undertaken to make the tillers, the owners of the land.
2. Regulation of Rent: The cultivators were exploited in the form of exorbitant rents. In the first five year plan, the maximum rent fixed was one-fourth or one-fifth of the total farm produce (except in Punjab and Haryana, where it was rd). The regulations of rent not only reduced the burden from the tenants but also enabled them with a greater portion of finance to invest on farms.
3. Consolidation of Holdings: As the land holdings were small and also fragmented, so it was very necessary to consolidate the land holdings for the use of modern and advanced technology. The farmers were given consolidated holdings equal to the total of the land in their various fragmented plots. This enabled them the benefits associated with the large scale production.
4. Land Ceilings: It means legislated fixed amounts of land that an individual may hold. The basic motive behind this step was to promote equality of ownership of land holdings. This eradicated the concentration of land holdings in a few hands. Government used to confiscate the excess land over the fixed amount of land and distribute it among the landless farmers.
5. Co-operative Farming: This step was taken to counter the problems due to sub-division of holdings. Small scale farming by an individual landholder is neither profitable nor productive, so these steps encouraged different farmers to pool their farms and perform farming jointly. This enhanced the productivity and greater profits were shared by the individual farmers.
Compare and contrast the development of India, China and Pakistan with respect to some salient human development indicators.
How is RBI controlling the commercial banks?
Explain the steps taken by the government in developing rural markets.
What are the functions of the environment?
Distinguish between the following
(i) Strategic and Minority sale
(ii) Bilateral and Multi-lateral trade
(iii) Tariff and Non-tariff barriers.
Why was the public sector given a leading role in industrial development during the planning period?
Match the following:
1. Prime Minister 3. Quota 4. Land Reforms 5. HYV Seeds 6. Subsidy |
A. Seeds that give large proportion of output C. Chairperson of the planning commission D. The money value of all the final goods and services produced within the economy in one year. E. Improvements in the field of agriculture to increase its productivity F. The monetary assistance given by government for production activities. |
Infrastructure contributes to the economic development of a country. Do you agree? Explain.
Find the odd man out (i) owner of a saloon (ii) a cobbler (iii) a cashier in Mother Dairy (iv) a tuition master (v) transport operator (vi) construction worker.
Highlight any two serious adverse environmental consequences of development in India. India’s environmental problems pose a dichotomy — they are poverty induced and, at the same time, due to affluence in living standards — is this true?
Explain the supply-demand reversal of environmental resources.
Discuss the importance of credit in rural development.
Why did India opt for planning?
Identify the benefits and limitations of organic farming.
Education is considered to be an important input for the development of a nation. How?
India has abundant natural resources —substantiate the statement.
Explain the role of micro-credit in meeting credit requirements of the poor.
Critically appraise some of the shortfalls of the industrial policy pursued by the British colonial administration.
Why are regular salaried employees more in urban areas than in rural areas?
What do you understand by the drain of Indian wealth during the colonial period?