Ever heard of a farmer who rides a tricycle for a living, or one who lifts heavy load for a wage? Meet the new migrant-inhabitants of the city.
Groups of illiterate farmers from rural districts of Tamil Nadu are enduring short periods of homelessness in Chennai to earn enough to meet rising production costs in agriculture.
The Chennai Corporation is yet to commission suitable night shelters for people who have no roof over their heads during the monsoon season.
Groups of men belonging to farming communities in the villages of Perambalur district ride tricycles with goods in congested north Chennai neighbourhoods, even as their wives and children cultivate their land back home.
One such group consists of at least 50 men from a single village where farmers have reportedly been unable to manage crop failures, perhaps for successive years.
Cotton farmer A. Murugan (42) earns a few thousands in the city and uses the money to procure farm inputs, including seeds, fertiliser and equipment, for raising this year’s crop in Vayalapady village of Perambalur district.
His family has to work harder this year as the rains have been inadequate this Aadi (mid-July to mid-August). Murugan saves at least Rs. 200 per day from the earnings made by ferrying goods on a tricycle, in George Town.
He visits his native village at least 10 times a year, timing it such that he can help his family members with farming.
“The women and children need our assistance only during harvesting. They manage most of the other tasks themselves. We just send money to meet rising farm expenses,” says P. Shankar, another farmer who remains homeless on Mint Street.
Farmer Kolanchi (60) says some of the members of his group continue to stay on the pavement during the rains.
“Many of us are allowed to sleep in front of shops at night. We also help out the others who have recently joined our group. Yet, it is challenging during the rains,” says A. Subramani, a farmer from Thungapuram, another village in Perambalur district.
“Production costs are rising. But we are unable to sell produce at market prices. Our stay in the city helps us sustain agriculture,” he says.
