Land reform in three communities of Cochabamba, Bolivia

The author wanted to investigate the living and working conditions of the campesinos and to analyze the economic, social, and political changes after the reform period among different types of rural communities. A 25 percent random sample of the population was taken using interview techniques. The agrarian reform law of 1953 represents the social liberation of more than 2 million persons. In nearly all cases landless farmers acquired land rights over the parcels they farmed before, plus additional land granted by the reform. Now nearly all of them are members of the farmers" unions. The unions have a potential for community development and social change. Crops and methods are traditional except for an increased use of chemical fertilizer. Livestock operations are only complementary to agricultural activities. Improvements in communication and transportation have changed marketing opportunities and costs, creating incentives for expanded production of potatoes.