Suchergebnisse

The Peasant-Workers in Europe and the World.
With the help of historical examples and contemporary statistics, this article examines the professional situation and the sociological "state of mind" of the peasant-worker, considering whether or not he represents the integration of traditional agriculture and modern industry or simply the juxtaposition of two activities. One of the first difficulties encountered in this study in the ambiguity of the expression "part-time"; examples are given to show the diversity of criteria (economic importance, time allotted, actual work accomplished) used to distinguish "full-time" and "part-time" activities in different European countries and the United States. After delineating the statistical problems raised by the analysis of the kinds of employment chosen by part-time farmers (e.g. agricultural, industrial, commercial), the author treats part-time work at the family (as opposed to individual) level, explaining how different members may pursue alternate activities that contribute to the economic development of the group as a whole. The consequences of part-time employment on the structure and conception on the agricultural family are mentioned. Examples of the relationship of part-time agriculture to industrial expansion in various countries lead the author to conclude that the essential difference is not between part-time and full-time but between dilettante farming and professional farming. He predicts the advent of "pleasure-farming"; with the development of synthetic foods, agriculture will no longer be a livelihood for the socially if not economically poor, but a pastime, a luxury enjoyed by the rich.

Some general reflections on the introduction into the developing countries of ideologies & methods which are not only the product of the industr'ized world, but form part of its history. This represents one of the most exciting challenges faced by res'ers. Then comments are offered from the author's 1968 bush-country notebook re the obstacles due to the share-cropping system which impede adoption of improved rice cultivation methods, based on the use of chemical fertilizers. Delay in adopting improved methods is not associated exclusively with partnership contracts. The rational use of statistics could show whether certain characteristics of a zone (religious & pol'al convictions, land tenure system, etc) coincide with the degree of adoption of the new methods. One face has emerged from initial sociol'al surveys: the work of the advisory services should be directed not at individuals, but at groups. The first of these groups is the fam. Closer cooperation should be sought with such instit's as existing churches & ministers. Contact with the Ru development movement seems esp important. State action relating to advisory services should be taken over by true farmers' org's, ie, a farming elite. The importance of cooperation at the community stage must not be underestimated. The Malagasy farmer (to whom these reflections rerefer) is mature enough to have created his own embryonic professional structure which can lead to the establishment of real cooperation between farmers, the Groupement Operation Productivite Rizicole. With the establishment of their marketing groups, the small farmers will be able to break away from the stranglehold of traditional marketing methods & can become their own masters. Participation in marketing control should be encouraged by the establishment of 'pilot zones,' whose purpose would be not only technical & agri'al, but also econ & soc development. Both inside & outside these zones, the agri'al expert should seek to become the technical adviser rather than the mouthpiece of messages from the higher authorities. M. Maxfield.