Looking at the history of land reforms carried out in the last two centuries all over the world it would be safe to surmise that at best these measures remain controversial. The success stories are few, which provide no set recipe or guidelines for an impartial conduct and favorable outcome of such reforms. Result of the reforms varied from one country to another even if they were conducted on a common political philosophy. Further, redistribution of land did dispense feudalism in certain cases but did not improve the lot of the common farmers, which subsequently were forced into cooperative farming without which survival of agriculture sector was seen as doubtful. America simply refused to implement land reforms as they were considered socialist in nature. Free market philosophy undid the effect of whatever land reforms were implemented in Europe. In Africa its been a story of misappropriation, corruption and mismanagement. Countries purporting socialist economy in Latin America carried out land reforms which did not bear any significant results in the long run as in most cases the state interference corrupted and controlled the eventual emergence of collective and co-operate farming. In China at least three land reforms have been conducted. In the first, according to one estimate, several landlords were slaughtered. Despite, several attempts at land reforms and tight control at the government level, the pathetic quality of living of Chinese farmers is known to the world. Similarly, in India, despite all the euphoric talk about Indian land reforms, today the landed elite has increased than what it was in 50s. The need for commercial farming, use of latest techniques, fertilizers, equipments has made it almost impossible for the small farmers to survive. Free market economy has forced small farmers to sell their lands and invest into other small business. India has gone a full circle and many studies point to the emergence of big landowners. In the era of globalization efficient and economic production is the need of time. Dividing big lands into small would eventually require reversion to collective and co-operative farming pitting small uneducated farmers against the smart market forces. Instead of division of land, increase in crop share and job security should be ensured along with providing education to them so that they can better understand their rights. The success of land reforms in West Bengal was mainly due to such measures and not due to distribution of land. Its a slogan of 50s and 60s when USSR was trying to win over the masses of the newly independent poor third world countries. ADNAN MUKHTAR, Lahore, October 14.