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The commercialisation of agriculture introduced by the British not only harmed the agriculture sector but also disturbed the socio-economic fabric of India. Examine.
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Solution
Answer:
Introduction:
The process of Commercialisation of Agriculture starts when the agricultural activities (from crop selection to harvesting) are governed by the Commercial interests (i.e. with a sole intention of selling the produce in the market) instead of personal consumption.
The process of Commercialisation of Agriculture in India started with the stabilization of British Rule in India in the 19th century. Before the British rule, the production in Indian agriculture was largely based on self-consumption.
Body:
British introduced commercialisation to Indian agriculture primarily to feed the British industries and facilitate British Trade and Commercial Interests.
This was done by -
Introducing a new land revenue system: British introduced a new land revenue system in India to advance their own interests by collecting higher land revenue. They introduced the Zamindari System in North and Eastern India, the Ryotwari System in Western and Southern India; and Mahalwari System in North Western parts of India.
Paying loan advances: Loan advances were paid to attract poor farmers towards plantations. This pushed the farmers into a vicious cycle of money-lending, which made him subordinate to the moneylenders who used to serve the interests of British merchants.
Promoting nexus between trader, moneylender and zamindars: The nexus was promoted to gain control over the agriculture sector as a whole. This ensured a steady supply of raw materials and kept control over various stakeholders of the agriculture sector.
Land as private property: In pre-British period, land was a symbol of pride and was never treated as a commodity. By promoting buying and selling of land, it was made a private property like any other commodity which can be bought and sold in the market. Buying and selling of land was guided through the British interests.
Promoting cash crops: Cash Crops like - Cotton, Indigo etc - were promoted over the food crops. Loans were provided to the farmers growing cash crops for British merchants.
Introducing the plantation system: Plantations provided the cheap source of raw materials for British industries.
Impact on the agriculture sector
The land became private property and was easily bought and sold in the market. It affected the vulnerable sections like - landless farmers, small farmers and peasants, tenants.
Land degradation - Cash crops like Indigo and Opium made land unfertile for the food crops.
Changes in cropping patterns - the traditional seasonal cropping pattern disturbed which led to more hunger and poverty in rural areas.
Loss of traditional knowledge - the traditional knowledge of agriculture, which was developed over several years was lost to an extent.
Market dependent agriculture increased vulnerability due to market volatility. This exposed the erstwhile self-dependent rural areas to the volatile international markets.
Impact on the Socio-economic fabric of India.
Rise in Inequalities - There was an increase in inequality in rural areas due to the poor agricultural organization, obsolete technology, and lack of resources among most peasants and small farmers. Only the rich farmers, money-lenders, zamindars, traders, etc. benefited from this.
The exploitation of poor- Poor peasants were forced to sell their products just after harvest at whatever prices they could get as they had to meet in time the demands of the government, the landlord, the moneylender and his family members’ requirements. The loan advances and money lending forced poor peasants in the vicious cycle of loans.
Disturbed the traditional rural socio-economic structure - The commercialisation disturbed the traditional Jajmani System in rural areas which adversely impacted the rural social relations and its economy.
Decreased self-sufficiency - The self-sufficient village economy was disturbed and linked to the international markets. This affected traditional relations between agriculture and industry.
Positive Impacts of Commercialisation of Agriculture
Transformed the traditional agriculture-dependent Indian Economy into a modern economy by linking it to the global economy.
Introduced new commercial crops which enhanced the income of farmers.
Increased productivity of agriculture by introducing modern tools and technologies.
By dismantling the Jajmani System, it loosened the hold of the traditional exploitative caste system in rural areas.
Opened new avenues for employment.
Conclusion:
The commercialisation of agriculture should have improved the rural Indian economy and should have transformed traditional Indian agriculture into a modern commercial activity, but due to the flawed policies and self interests of the colonial government it resulted into devastation of rural economy.
Introduction:
The process of Commercialisation of Agriculture starts when the agricultural activities (from crop selection to harvesting) are governed by the Commercial interests (i.e. with a sole intention of selling the produce in the market) instead of personal consumption.
The process of Commercialisation of Agriculture in India started with the stabilization of British Rule in India in the 19th century. Before the British rule, the production in Indian agriculture was largely based on self-consumption.
Body:
British introduced commercialisation to Indian agriculture primarily to feed the British industries and facilitate British Trade and Commercial Interests.
This was done by -
Introducing a new land revenue system: British introduced a new land revenue system in India to advance their own interests by collecting higher land revenue. They introduced the Zamindari System in North and Eastern India, the Ryotwari System in Western and Southern India; and Mahalwari System in North Western parts of India.
Paying loan advances: Loan advances were paid to attract poor farmers towards plantations. This pushed the farmers into a vicious cycle of money-lending, which made him subordinate to the moneylenders who used to serve the interests of British merchants.
Promoting nexus between trader, moneylender and zamindars: The nexus was promoted to gain control over the agriculture sector as a whole. This ensured a steady supply of raw materials and kept control over various stakeholders of the agriculture sector.
Land as private property: In pre-British period, land was a symbol of pride and was never treated as a commodity. By promoting buying and selling of land, it was made a private property like any other commodity which can be bought and sold in the market. Buying and selling of land was guided through the British interests.
Promoting cash crops: Cash Crops like - Cotton, Indigo etc - were promoted over the food crops. Loans were provided to the farmers growing cash crops for British merchants.
Introducing the plantation system: Plantations provided the cheap source of raw materials for British industries.
Impact on the agriculture sector
The land became private property and was easily bought and sold in the market. It affected the vulnerable sections like - landless farmers, small farmers and peasants, tenants.
Land degradation - Cash crops like Indigo and Opium made land unfertile for the food crops.
Changes in cropping patterns - the traditional seasonal cropping pattern disturbed which led to more hunger and poverty in rural areas.
Loss of traditional knowledge - the traditional knowledge of agriculture, which was developed over several years was lost to an extent.
Market dependent agriculture increased vulnerability due to market volatility. This exposed the erstwhile self-dependent rural areas to the volatile international markets.
Impact on the Socio-economic fabric of India.
Rise in Inequalities - There was an increase in inequality in rural areas due to the poor agricultural organization, obsolete technology, and lack of resources among most peasants and small farmers. Only the rich farmers, money-lenders, zamindars, traders, etc. benefited from this.
The exploitation of poor- Poor peasants were forced to sell their products just after harvest at whatever prices they could get as they had to meet in time the demands of the government, the landlord, the moneylender and his family members’ requirements. The loan advances and money lending forced poor peasants in the vicious cycle of loans.
Disturbed the traditional rural socio-economic structure - The commercialisation disturbed the traditional Jajmani System in rural areas which adversely impacted the rural social relations and its economy.
Decreased self-sufficiency - The self-sufficient village economy was disturbed and linked to the international markets. This affected traditional relations between agriculture and industry.
Positive Impacts of Commercialisation of Agriculture
Transformed the traditional agriculture-dependent Indian Economy into a modern economy by linking it to the global economy.
Introduced new commercial crops which enhanced the income of farmers.
Increased productivity of agriculture by introducing modern tools and technologies.
By dismantling the Jajmani System, it loosened the hold of the traditional exploitative caste system in rural areas.
Opened new avenues for employment.
Conclusion:
The commercialisation of agriculture should have improved the rural Indian economy and should have transformed traditional Indian agriculture into a modern commercial activity, but due to the flawed policies and self interests of the colonial government it resulted into devastation of rural economy.
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