What were the disadvantages of the ryotwari system?

The planters forced Ryots to sign the agreement or a contract so that they could provide them with the loans to grow indigo at a lower rate of interest. The planters wanted cultivators to produce indigo on at least 25 per cent of the area held by them. They provided the cultivators with seed and drill whereas the Ryots had to prepare the soil, sow the seeds and looked after the crop. This system came to be known as the ‘Ryotwari system’.

The various disadvantages of the ryotwari system were as follows:

• Ryots or cultivators were provided with the loan to cultivate the Indigo. Initially, ryots found this deal attractive but later they realised the amount they are getting paid was low as compared to the Indigo that has been produced by them.

• Also, the loan that had been given was never-ending. After every harvest, they were provided with the loan to cultivate Indigo.

• Moreover, the planters wanted indigo to be cultivated in best soil whereas the farmers wanted the rice to be cultivated in such soil.

• Continuous cultivation of indigo led to the exhaustion of the soil as it has deep roots and the land cannot be used to sow rice.