A Facebook advertisement said ‘Wanted Farmers’. It added, “Dear farmer, need your support to produce healthy food for the society. Join hands with us to offer healthy & better life”.
The pay package is undoubtedly very ‘attractive’, taking into consideration the financial crisis that small & marginal farmers are facing in India.
The ad, which was released on behalf of the Tamil Nadu-based Keeraikadai said the interested farmers are given an annual package of Rs. 1.80 to 2.40 lakh. Also, they will get free food as well as accommodation.
It must be noted that the ‘offer’ varies from recruiter to recruiter. What explains the surge in demand for ‘practising farmers’ is the new-found mania with farming amongst some high ‘net-worth individuals’ or HNIs that includes IT professionals & doctors.
Chief Executive Officer of Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, GV Ramanjaneyulu told BusinessLine that “We see consolidation happening in land holdings. HNIs are purchasing huge chunks of lands. Few of them may be purchasing it for investment purpose while others may be interested in growing crops”. He said, “They are buying land as they have money. But they will need people who know farming if they want to cultivate something. Hence the demand for the farmers”.
Telangana Rythu Sangham Secretary Sagar told he also had received enquiries, requesting ‘hands’ that can take care of the farming needs of share-croppers.
Sagar said, “The concept of Farmers’ Producer Organisations or FPO is gaining money. These FPOs are mainly targeting the growing demand for organic food in urban regions. Their focused farming would also require professional farmers”. Those with experience in cultivating specialized crops & niche farming methods like natural farming are in good demand.
Many people holding large pieces of land are looking for growers in bulk to take care of their farms. Convener of Rythu Swarjya Vedika, Kanneganti Ravi said, “They approached me few months back. As we are working with the family of the farmers who committed suicides, one unit was wondering whether it can employ the widows on the farms”.
Aparna, who is member of Beyond Organic that works with millet farmers for market linkages, said she does not give any salary.
With around 35 to 40 acres of arable land, she involves growers to do organic farming on her field. Aparna said, “I follow 2 methods. In the 1st model, I provide them with inputs & I take 25% of the produce. In the 2nd model, I take Rs. 1,000 /acre upfront and let them to grow pulses or millets”.
