Accidental Gamblers Risk and Vulnerability in Vidarbha Cotton

"Vidarbha, a major cotton growing region in central India, has been the epicentre of a protracted agrarian crisis. Chronic indebtedness and farmers' suicides continue unabated despite decades of state intervention. Going beyond the contemporary discourse that finds fault in neoliberal policies and integration with global markets, this fascinating book tells the story of how nineteenth century 'accidents', particularly in the form of colonial policies and the American Civil War, ushered in institutional transformations that shaped the region's cotton economy. By drawing insights from the authors' longitudinal study in villages of the region spanning twelve years, Accidental Gamblers presents the 'gambles' that farmers are part of in addition to the detailed historical account of the political economy and development of cotton economy of the region. The novelty of combining a long view of history and evidence based on primary field research results in a book that underscores the importance of investigating roots of agrarian crisis and paying attention to adjustments of farm households, at a crucial juncture in India's economic transformation"--