Agriculture and Environment: Debates in the Central Legislature of India, 1937–1957

Agriculture and Environment: Debates in the Central Legislature of India, 1937–1957 is based on a simple truism: the same crop cannot be grown everywhere. Though largely determined by local natural conditions, agriculture and related human activities affect the environment in many ways. Engagement with the environment became commonplace post-1970, yet the basic awareness that agriculture affects the natural environment, and is in turn affected by it, was traditional wisdom across cultures. The book documents this through a study of the agriculture-related debates in the Central legislature of India during 25 January 1937, the first day of the Fifth Session of the Fifth Legislative Assembly, and 28 March

1957, the last day of the first Lok Sabha.

Agriculture and Environment details the various aspects and shades of the agrarian culture of India that underwent transformations as a consequence of its contact with a colonial culture that was also industrially advanced. With 15 August 1947 forming the dividing line between the British Raj and the Republic of India, the narrative looks at the various aspects and agencies of agriculture in India during the two historic decades before and after the nation’s freedom at midnight.

The book will be useful to experts as well as scholars of agriculture and environmental studies and policymakers.

Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. The British colonial politics of power over India and the Indian People. 2. Agriculture and concept of environment in higher education in India. 3. Modern Agricultural research in India. 4. Environmental consciousness and new trajectories. 5. Politics of power vs. politics of fundamental rights over land and people. Conclusion: Agriculture in India’s history, a few generalizations. Index.