The Indian Farmers’ Tale

While in the beautiful district of Wayanad we had the opportunity to meet several of the local farmers who had formed a self help group composed of men farmers. This group was based on another group for women in the same community. These self help groups work together to pool their money in order to secure loans as a collective.

The farmers told us how they were surviving on four acres or less of land and how this land was used almost exclusively for cash crops today rather than for food for the farmer. We asked what they wanted their children to do and we were a bit surprised by their answer. The group had optimism that their children would leave farming and look for work elsewhere. The farmers in the group had accepted that they would be the last generation from their family to earn their living from their land.

What stood out more than any thing else on this visit was the kindness and generosity shown by the farmers. They not only welcomed us into their home with open arms, they fed us and served us massive amounts of tea. They were full of smiles and seemed delighted that we were there. We left this visit reluctantly and significantly behind schedule.