India, April 3 -- The migration of people from agricultural to non-agricultural sectors is generally regarded as a natural and welcome phenomenon. It is often argued-and rightly so-that agriculture cannot generate sufficient income for the present population in agriculture. However, the tragedy lies in the fact that for the majority who leave farming for the unorganised industrial sector, this migration brings only little tangible improvement to their lives. The earnings of labourers in both the unorganised industrial sector and the agricultural sector remain strikingly similar.

What is even more unfortunate is that while revolutionary changes in the lives of farmers and farm laborers are possible through minimal public investment, this ...