Agricultural co-operation in India

Co-partnership in agriculture is no new idea. In the earliest experiments in cooperative farming in modern times, as far back as 1830, we find attempts to bind the agricultural labourer in the farm by giving him a definite interest in the profits and management of the farm.... The resu Its are considered promising by the critics who though blissed in favour of schemes are neverthless well able to judge. They notice less friction and more interest in work, more will ing service and perhaps a greater readiness to accept new methods on the part of the labourers; a high degree of general efficiency in the farming and certain impetus to works of sociol-amelioration in the locality. Whether co-partnership is destined to a fair and whole hearted trial in agriculture will depend very much on the temper of the employers and workers; but in view of the fact that the atmosphere there is less burde ned with bitterness and mutual jea lousy, it is possible to hope that more practical good may result from co partnership in agriculture than in sister industry.

The point of Interest to Co-operators today is that if rural co-operative societies are, as many people sup pose, bringing back to some extent the communal and local concious ness of their village: their organiza tion may be used for That is villagers to some of the sibili ties of local administration. to say, when the society has establi shed its position in the village, it may be gradually turned on to such mat ters as sanitation, education and general village improvement.

This handbook gives its readers sui table information besides suggesting new lines of enquiry and thought in Agriculture Co-operation in India. The contents of the book are not dis cussions only but can be used as a practical manual for help and guidan ce in present day life the co-operative national work which is much needed today.