Peasants, Subsistence and the Dairy-Co-operative in Dry Land-A Fragile Existence

Co-operative in Dry Land A Fragile Existence The paper is a study of the dynamic interaction between the text of the dairy co-operative society and the context of dry land agriculture in a tribal-peasant set-up. It highlights the intertwining of the normative structure and the institutional arrangements (the text) and the socio-economic context resulting in a fragile stability of the particular co-operative society. However, with the realignment of the forces (not necessarily located in the village) and the subsequent changes in the institutional arrangements such primary co-operative societies may face disintegration. Thereby, the dry regions and largely the subsistence-oriented rural producers may get exposed to the reinstated interlocked market.