Land Acquisition and Farmers in India: A Case Study of Two Villages on the Periphery of Delhi

IR

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  • インドにおける土地収用と農民-デリー近郊の2農村の事例から-

Abstract

This paper examines how farmers have reacted to land acquisition by the state for development purposes and the resulting changes in village economic activity, with reference to two villages on the periphery of Delhi, following rapid urbanization and industrialization. While the number of landless households has increased and a number of farmers have abandoned farming, many farmers used the compensation money they received for their land to purchase new parcels of land or to enlarge and/or remodel their houses in order to lease-out the land or rooms. As a result, the households that originally had substantial land, and also enjoyed opportunities for non-agricultural employment, have kept their economic status in the villages unchanged, even after the land acquisition. During the protest movement against the land acquisition, the farmers mainly requested an increase in compensation or a return of the land. According to an investigation, however, it seems the farmers do not want to restart farming, even if their land would be returned. Rather they want to use their land for multi-purposes, including rental businesses. With the occupational diversification and rapid increase of land prices on the periphery of megacities, as well as the deepening of democracy, it seems that land acquisition does not always mean a loss for famers who are now well-informed and tough negotiators.

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