XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology (July 15-21, 2018)

702

Neoliberal Agriculture and Distressed Peasants

RC40 Sociology of Agriculture and Food (host committee)

Language: English

It was emphasized that Neoliberal   agricultural economy will usher fast development and growth and thereby help reduce poverty, malnutrition and inequality in the society. World agriculture was no exception to this process. Research findings on Neoliberalised agriculture reveal the fact that developed countries have benefitted much where as in developing countries the peasants have been exploited, it has caused massive disruption to their lives, livelihoods and family. The Indian agriculture is a case at point. The Liberalization of Indian agriculture has had increased the production of food grain crops and has benefitted a small segment of rich peasantry. But on the contrary the process has caused severe distress, misery and hardship amongst the large section of medium and small peasants who are unable to cope with the situation and commit suicide. The 2014 data  shows that five thousand one hundred seventy-eight peasants have committed suicide of which four hundred seventy-two are women.  The peasants are still committing suicide and no solution to tackle this problem has ever thought of or nearer at scene. There could be no exception of this fall out in the neighboring countries whose agriculture structure resembles to that of India. The emerging situation has caused worries among the planners and policy makers. The aim of this session is to debate on to what extent the Neoliberlised agriculture will serve the interest of small and medium peasants in long run and save their lives from distress and committing suicide.