AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING

For the proper implementation of various plans for progressive agricultural economy, obstacles like, inequitable distribution of land, increasing population, size of holdings, poor financial position of farmer, traditional methods of cultivation, etc., have to be removed. The best solution to overcome these difficulties is to adopt co-operative farming under which a farmer is provided with all the facilities and necessary help to undertake profitable farming- There are two methods by which co-operative farming could be undertaken viz., by forming collective co-operative farming and joint co-operative farming societies. The same are described below:

Collective Co-operative Farming Societies.—-Those societies are formed when large areas of land are acquired on lease either from the landlords or from the Government. Under this type, the cultivation, distribution of proceeds, and sale and purchase are carried on collective basis. The members of a collective cooperative farming society belong to the class of landless labourers who do not enjoy any ownership or proprietary rights in the land. Thus the membership of this type of society ensures to them some means of subsistence.

Joint Co-operative Farming Societies.—Under this type the small land owners come together by pooling their land in accordance with the directions of an elected committee. These farmers whose individual holdings do not allow economic and efficient cultivation, work jointly on the farm and receive wages for their labour. The ownership of each member in his holding is recognised by payment of dividend or rent in proportion to his holding. The proceeds are applied for (a) meeting all expenses of cultivation including wages, (b) provision for reserve fund and (c) defraying other charges. The residue is then shared by the members in proportion to the wages earned by each after utilising a part thereof towards the payment of bonus to the salaried staff.

In 1961, there were 5 collective farming, 2 joint farming and one better farming societies in the district. Their paid-up share capital was Rs. 9,000, Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 2,000 respectively; while the membership was 61, 26 and 91 respectively. The collective farming societies cultivated all the 406 acres under their command. The societies received Rs. 21,000 as loan during the year 1960-61. The joint farming societies cultivated, on the other hand, 86 acres out of 391 acres under their command and received Rs. 5,000 as a loan from the Government.

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