Economic and Environmental Resilience of Tenant Farmers in Majuli, Assam

When agricultural land is unequally distributed, the land lease market can be essential in balancing factor endowments among agrarian families. With this backdrop, the study explores the economic and environmental sustainability of tenant farming among the Mishing tribe in Majuli, the biggest river island. The primary objectives are to compare the economic benefits of tenant versus owner farmers and to assess the resilience of the Mishing community to environmental challenges. Utilising purposive sampling, data were collected from the UjaniMajuli Block. Analytical methods include the Lekart scale, independent t-tests, and cost-benefit ratio analysis to evaluate economic benefits, complemented by field observations to assess resilience indicators. Results reveal that tenant farmers achieve a higher benefit-cost ratio than owner farmers for red and winter paddy, attributed to more efficient resource utilisation and adaptive agricultural practices. Despite strong resilience through traditional adaptive measures, there is a need for enhanced infrastructure and awareness programs. The study emphasises the necessity for targeted policy interventions and support mechanisms to enhance tenant farmers’ economic stability and resilience in Majuli.