AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING

Co-operative farming is suggested as an ideal remedy for eradicating the evils accompanied by small holdings. It implies the existence of a society where each cultivator would retain his rights in his own land but cultivation would be carried on jointly by all the members. The characteristics of co-operative farming are—(i) land becomes a single unit; (ii) proprietory rights rest with the individual owners; (iii) joint cultivation and management are promoted; (iv) members are paid for their work; and (v) net profit is shared by the members after earmarking for reserve fund. When the cultivator becomes a member of the co-operative society, he can meet his credit requirements from the financial assistance extended by it. Besides, he is enabled to purchase and use modern machinery, to effect efficient division of labour, to provide irrigation, to undertake measures for the permanent development of land and finally to sell his produce advantageously, all of which would be beyond the capacity of an individual farmer to achieve.

Co-operative Joint Farming Societies— There are only two types of co-operative farming societies in the district, viz., co-operative collective farming societies; and co-operative joint farming societies. Under the scheme of co-operative joint farming society all the lands are pooled together from small owners whose individual holdings do not allow economic and efficient cultivation of land. The management and cultivation of farms is done by the society. Members work on pooled land in accordance with the directions of an elected committee and the manager appointed by it. They 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 the value of land. The produce is stockpiled as well as disposed of collectively.

Co-operative Collective Farming Societies.— Co-operative collective farming society itself owns land on free-hold or leasehold and carries on cultivation by the members. Members are paid wages for their work and a bonus in proportion to wages in case of net profits. It is important to note that the members of co-operative collective farming societies necessarily belong to the class of landless labourers who do not enjoy any ownership or proprietary right in land. Thus the membership of this type of society ensures its members, employment and means of subsistence.

The Nagpur Congress Session held in 1958, adopted a resolution that the pattern of agricultural organisation should be based on the principle of co-operative joint farming. Thus future agrarian pattern would take the form of co-operative farming in which "land will be pooled for joint cultivation, the farmers retaining their property rights and getting shares from the net produce in proportion to their land ". Those who work in the farm will also get a share in proportion to their work.

Table No. 6 shows the position of co-operative farming in Bhandara district.

TABLE No. 6

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING SOCIETIES IN BHANDARA DISTRICT IN 1968-69.

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