Les castes dominantes du village de Peravali face a la modernisation de l’agriculture (Andhra Pradesh)

In Peravali village (Andhra Pradesh), four castes (Brahmans, Kappu-reddis, Kammas and Komatis) profited from their possession of social and economic power to make the most of the "green revolution". The main elements of recent agricultural improvement in Peravali are a substantial increase in paddy production accompanied by the use of chemical fertilizers and improved varieties of seeds, the introduction of new high-yielding commercial crops such as oranges and onions, and the extension of irrigation. Wholesale dealers and families with farms of adequate size, having at their disposal wells, agricultural implements and funds for the purchase of fertilizers have been the main beneficiaries of the new techniques. By contrast, small farmers, craftsmen, labourers and small shopkeepers have profited little.