Skördelott

Skördelott is a term used in Swedish and Scandinavian contexts, literally from skörd meaning harvest and lott meaning lot. It refers to a lottery-based mechanism used to distribute harvest outputs, labor assignments, or access to communal resources within rural communities. The concept is typically associated with traditional or community-based arrangements, and may appear in both historical descriptions and contemporary discussions of cooperative practices.

Historically, skördelott emerged in agrarian economies where resources were scarce and collective decision-making was necessary. A lottery was considered a fair method to allocate surplus or limited resources after the harvest, reducing potential conflicts. It could determine who would receive larger shares of the harvest, who would take on specific tasks, or who would gain access to scarce storage or processing facilities.

Modern adaptations vary. Tickets or tokens might be issued to households, and the drawing can occur at harvest festivals or council meetings. Prizes or outcomes can range from actual produce to cash, services, or guaranteed access to future harvests, depending on local rules and needs.

In contemporary discussions, skördelott is often described as an example of communal risk-sharing and social cohesion. Critics may point to potential inequities if ticket allocation favors larger households or if the rules are opaque. The concept remains primarily discussed in the context of rural traditions, cooperative practices, and studies of informal economic arrangements.

Related concepts include lotteries and drawing-based allocation in communal cooperatives and harvest festivals.