Agricultural Labour, a Diminishing Force

The results of the First Agricultural Labour Enquiry (ALE; 1950-51), Second Agricultural Labour Enquiry (ALE; 1956-57) and the Third Enquiry on Income of Rural Labour Households (RLE; 1963-64) lead one to believe that agricultural labour in India is a diminishing force. Even taking note of the fact that a degree of incomparability exists between the first and second enquiries, the conclusion that the agricultural labour households in both absolute and percentage terms had been declining during the three enquiries is inescapable.