Central Idea

Historical Surveys: Starting in 1916-17, Gilbert Slater initiated a series of surveys in five Tamil Nadu villages, marking the beginning of a century-long study of rural India.
Unique Village Studies: Palakurichi and Palanpur stand out as unique Indian villages extensively studied over a century and decades, respectively.

Methodology and Evolution of Village Studies

Initial Approach: Slater’s students, natives of the surveyed villages, used questionnaires to understand the socioeconomic conditions of rural households.
Subsequent Surveys: These villages were revisited for studies in subsequent years, including 1936-37, 1964, 1983, 2004, and 2019, providing a longitudinal perspective.

Contrast with Cross-Sectional Surveys: Unlike the National Sample Survey Office’s cross-sectional surveys, village studies are longitudinal, focusing on in-depth analysis over time.
Objective: The aim is to trace changes in the specific village over time, providing micro-level insights that complement macro-level data.

Economic Shifts: The 2019 survey of Palakurichi revealed a decline in agriculture’s dominance, with only 43.3% of the workforce engaged in farming, down from 85% in 1983.
Diversification of Workforce: Similar trends were observed in Palanpur, with a significant shift from agriculture to non-farm jobs over the decades.

Diminished Dominance of Traditional Landholders: In both Palakurichi and Palanpur, traditional upper caste landholders’ power has declined, with middle castes and Dalits gaining more land ownership.
Economic and Social Mobility: These changes reflect broader social and economic mobility within these rural communities.

Land Leasing Practices: As some communities move away from agriculture, land leasing becomes common, often based on oral agreements to avoid legal complications.
Need for Policy Reforms: There’s a need for policies that balance the interests of landowners and tenant farmers, encouraging investment in land improvement.
Sustaining Agricultural Productivity: With rural India becoming less dependent on agriculture, ensuring continued or improved farming practices on existing agricultural lands is crucial.

Insights from Micro-Level Studies: Longitudinal village studies offer valuable insights into the patterns of change in rural India, informing policy and understanding of rural dynamics.
Balancing Agricultural and Non-Agricultural Growth: These studies highlight the need for balanced development policies that support both agricultural sustainability and non-farm employment opportunities.