Métayage

French term (dt. Halbpacht, Teilpacht) for the cultivation of land for an owner by someone who receives part of the product or harvest. This is an ancient form and was already enshrined in Roman law in antiquity. It proved useful after the Roman slaves were freed, as the newly freed peasants had neither land nor cash. This was also practised in Brazil and the USA when slavery was outlawed.

Métayage today

The landlord often directly influences cultivation, but the sharecropper is responsible for day-to-day operations. He also provides materials such as fertiliser and pest control products, as well as machinery if necessary. The term "sharecropping" comes etymologically from the word "half = moitié", which means a half share of the product. However, this can vary according to local and temporal tradition and the type of contract (today in France a maximum of one third).

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Métayage

Métayage today

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