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Land is considered as the most valuable fixed asset in all economies and more
so in agrarian and developing economies like India where it holds a symbol of both
status and sustenance. The average size of operational land holding in India has been
reduced very drastically over the years from 2.28 Ha in the 1970-71 to 1.08 Ha in 2015-
16 (GOI,2016). The scenario in Kerala is also similar and average operational
landholding is 0.18 Ha (Economic review,2021). The land crisis in the agrarian sector
is leading to rising number of small and marginal farmers. Kerala, being a consumer
state has to depend on its neighbours for food imports. In Kerala, leasing of land is
permitted for members of SHGs for improving the livelihood and earnings of the farm
families.
Collective farming by women is an initiative introduced by Kudumbashree to
encourage cultivation among neighbourhood groups. It not only contributes significant
changes in the lives of the poor but also helps to increase agricultural production by
bringing fallow and cultivable waste land into agricultural use.
The study was undertaken to examine the impact of lease land farming on
livelihood security of women farmers. Profile characteristics of women farmers and
their influence on group dynamics were analysed. Factors affecting lease land farming
and the challenges faced by women collectives were also explored.
The present study was conducted in Thrissur district. Ex post facto research
design was used. Two blocks were randomly selected where each block representing
more area under banana and vegetable cultivation in leased land. From these selected
blocks of Kodakara and Ollukkara, two panchayats each were randomly selected. From
Kodakara block, Mattathur and Kodakara, whereas from Ollukkara block, Nadathara
and Puthur panchayats respectively. From these two blocks, fifteen women joint
liability groups were selected randomly, comprising 60 women farmers each who
cultivate banana and vegetables under leased land. Thus, the total sample comprised of
120 women farmers. Another respondents of 30 facilitators were also randomly
selected. Thus, the total sample included 150 respondents comprising 120 women
farmers and 30 facilitators. The data were collected with the help of a semi structured
pre tested interview schedule.
Perceived impact of lease land farming of women farmers showed that 49.17
per cent were under medium followed by 28.33 per cent under high and 22.5 per cent
in low categories. This indicated that women farmers were of the opinion that lease land
farming had a positive impact on their livelihood security. Regarding facilitators 26.67
percent belonged to medium category while 36.67 percent each were under low and
high categories of perceived impact. Comparison of perceived impact score employing
Mann Whitney U test revealed that there was a significant difference among banana
and vegetable farmers at 0.05 level.
The Livelihood Security Index (LSI) developed by Argade (2014) was used
with modifications to compute livelihood security of the farmers. Livelihood security
analysis showed that 40% of both banana and vegetable farmers possessed medium
level. Comparison of LSI of vegetable and banana farmers was done using independent
sample t test and it showed that there was significant difference among the respondent
categories where the mean index of banana farmers (0.70) was higher than vegetable
farmers (0.47).
The group dynamics among the JLG members were assessed using the group
dynamics effectiveness index (GDEI). Regarding group dynamics effectiveness index,
46.67% of respondents were under medium category followed by 29.17% and 24.17%
under high and low categories respectively. Comparison of group dynamics
effectiveness index (GDEI) of vegetable and banana farmers showed that there was
significant difference among the respondent categories where the mean index of
vegetable farmers (57.84) being higher.Spearman's rank correlation between group
dynamics effectiveness index and profile characteristics of women farmers revealed
that age, education, annual income, trainings received , occupation, social participation,
extension agency contact and innovativeness were having positive significant
relationship.
With respect to the factors affecting lease land farming, binary logistic
regression revealed that group dynamics effectiveness, economic motivation, social
participation, extension agency contact, and achievement motivation were significant.
Garret ranking was employed to explore the challenges faced by women
collectives and were categorised under four aspects ie, lease land related, group related,
technical and supplies and services. Among lease land related challenges, non-legalized
status was ranked as most serious challenge. With regard to group related challenges,
absenteeism of members was ranked first. Improper maintenance of records on farm
expenses and price fluctuations were identified under technical and supply challenges
respectively.
In a nutshell, the lease land farming of women collectives has augmented
livelihood security of women farmers. It is suggested that policy for legalization of land
leasing for agricultural purpose should be reformed so as to promote fallow land
farming.