Impact of Agrarian Social Relations on Rural Livelihoods

Abstract

Land ownership and labour dynamics, among others are determined by the agrarian social relations which shape rural livelihoods. These relations determine economic opportunities, social mobility and the well-being of rural communities. Unbalanced land distribution and slave labour systems in many underdeveloped countries often exclude the smallholder farmers and landless labourers from productive resources and market opportunities. Comprising 1% of landowners, these held more than 70% of the world’s farmland and therefore, millions of rural populations live under precarious conditions. Women also suffer from gender disparities, owning less than 20 percent of agricultural land globally though they make up 43 percent of the agricultural workforce. Furthermore, agribusiness and commercialization have recently added economic pressure upon small farmers into debt or migration. Other environmental challenges including land degradation, climate change and water scarcity then puts rural livelihoods at further risk. Government policies and land reforms have been moulded to tackle the problems aforementioned; however, progress has been slow and sadly, hampered by political resistance and problems of implementation. To improve rural livelihoods and achieve equitable agrarian development, strengthening of land rights, promoting sustainable farming practices, and the implementation of inclusive rural policies are prerequisites.