What is varayan?

Varayan refers to a specific type of rice land agreement prevalent in certain regions. It is essentially a form of sharecropping where the landowner receives a fixed share of the yield, typically half, regardless of the actual harvest size. The cultivator or tenant farmer, who may or may not own the seeds and implements, is responsible for all the labor and other inputs. This system is different from other forms of tenancy where rent might be fixed or calculated differently. It is related to land%20tenure arrangements. Sometimes, especially in situations of informal varayan, disputes arise over land ownership or the exact agreed-upon share. The socio-economic conditions often associated with varayan systems can lead to situations of economic%20inequality for the farmers.