Paper short abstract:

Abolition of the Kamaiya bondage labor system from Nepali agriculture increased sharecropping and selling of land. The Kamaiya were empowered to negotiate their pay and work-hour. It has contributed to the farm mechanization.

Paper long abstract:

The Tharu, indigenous nationalities of Nepal, who cleared and settled the marshy lowland of Nepal, subsequently become landless and trapped into the kamaiya bondage labour system. My parents were one of them who migrated from the Dang-Deokhuri to Bardiya in search of freedom and a livelihood. The plights of my parents, family, villagers, and the Tharu drew my attention to engage with the community. From 2003, I have been engaged with the Tharu and the Jamindar (landlords). It was relatively easy for me to establish relationships with them since I am also from the Tharu community of the region. I visited many times in the study villages to establish rapport and introduce myself as a researcher. I had a particular challenge approaching Pahadi Jamindar (hill originated landlords) because of their patron-client mindset and security concern. Many Jamindar were threatened, displaced, and even killed from the armed conflict of the Maoist in the country during 1996-2006. I interviewed the Pahadi Jamindar through formal and informal networks, using mixed methods, household surveys, observation and interviews. I tried to maintain the highest levels of research ethics for an independent researcher. This research has policy implication for increasing land productivity in the agrarian economy of Nepal.