Further Comments on the Conference Theme

Abstract

John Fraser Hart stresses the cardinal point of the issue: mechanization has brought about a critical reduction of the labor force in agriculture, 'freeing or forcing hordes of farm youths to migrate to the city.' The size of this shift in employment and place of residence, however, depends on the type of agriculture. Field crops such as cereals or cotton allow maximum mechanization and require, therefore, a minimal labor force. Many vegetables and fruits, however demand at least picking by hand. Input of labor is therefore of a seasonal nature and such land use calls for mobility with most people retaining their rural place of residence.