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| V.V.Abubakkar, Adat Tharayil Chembi and P.V.Viswanathan, Eswaramangalam, Ponnani, Malappuram |
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What happens when the landowners leave the paddy fields barren without cultivation? The workers lose their jobs, the landowner gains nothing from the barren field and reduction of agricultural land adversely affects the society. When the workers and landowners of Eswaramangalam, Ponnani, thought over this situation, they came up with an innovative win-win solution.
2 men and 9 women workers, led by V.V.Abubakkar, Adat Tharayil Chembi and P.V.Viswanathan took on lease the 4 acre barren land belonging to K.S.Nair, V.K.Hameed and Ummer Kanayamparambil. As per the agreement, the workers would arrange seeds manure and all agricultural ingredients. On harvesting, the lease amount as well as share of the profit would be given to the landowner.
The workers’ collective does not have an office or bye-law. They discuss and fix the agenda, which is then implemented. The wages are not paid daily, but credited in their accounts. Each worker spends money required for activities on the field based on his ability. Upon harvesting, the invested amount is returned to the workers and they are paid the wages and profit. They plan to deposit part of the profit in the bank so that wages during next crop can be given away on daily basis.
The collective start their sowing and transplanting 1 week earlier than others. This way the workers can find employment in other farms after their work here. Usually, a major portion of sown seeds are picked up by birds. But since the collective keeps a keen eye on the field, the saplings came up without loss. After transplanting in 4 acres the excess was given away to the neighbouring farmer for free.
Courtesy: T.K.Muhammed, Karshakashree, November 2003
Contributed by: Administrator
