Meaning of PAIKARI / PAYAKARI

PAIKARI / PAYAKARI

Language - Tamil

Tamil Word - பைகரி / பயகரி

A temporary tenant farmer who typically receives a larger share of the harvest compared to a permanent tenant or resident cultivator. Example: In historical Tamil Nadu, 'paikari' or 'payakari' arrangements were common in areas with fluctuating labor demands or seasonal crops, allowing landowners to secure temporary labor while offering higher incentives to attract workers. This term reflects the historical dynamics of agricultural labor and land tenancy in Tamil Nadu. It also highlights the flexible arrangements that existed to address seasonal variations in labor needs and crop production.