The Champaran Indigo sharecroppers faced several problems during the colonial period in India. One of the major issues they faced was being forced to grow indigo on their land.

The Problem of Forced Indigo Cultivation:
- The British planters in Champaran, Bihar, had a monopoly on indigo cultivation and forced the local farmers to grow indigo on at least 3/20th of their land.
- The sharecroppers were compelled to cultivate indigo against their will, which led to a decrease in the cultivation of food crops, resulting in food scarcity and poverty.
- The British planters also imposed unfair terms and conditions on the farmers, such as low wages and high rents, making it extremely difficult for them to sustain themselves and their families.

Exploitation and Oppression:
- The sharecroppers were subjected to various forms of exploitation and oppression by the British planters. They were forced to provide free labor, known as Tinkathia system, for cultivating indigo on the planters' land.
- The planters often manipulated the accounts and forced the farmers into debt bondage, making it impossible for them to break free from the cycle of poverty and exploitation.
- The farmers had no control over the produce they cultivated. The planters decided the quantity, quality, and price of the indigo, leaving the sharecroppers at the mercy of the planters' arbitrary decisions.

Lack of Voice and Representation:
- The sharecroppers had no voice or representation in matters concerning their own land and livelihood. They were denied basic rights and were not allowed to protest against the oppressive indigo system.
- Illiteracy and lack of awareness further compounded their problems, as they were unaware of their rights and unable to advocate for themselves.
- The British planters used their power and influence to suppress any form of dissent, making it extremely difficult for the sharecroppers to raise their voices against the injustices they faced.

Conclusion:
The forced cultivation of indigo was a major problem faced by the Champaran Indigo sharecroppers. It not only resulted in poverty and scarcity of food crops but also subjected the farmers to exploitation and oppression. The lack of voice and representation further exacerbated their plight. This oppressive system eventually led to the famous Champaran Satyagraha, where Mahatma Gandhi played a significant role in mobilizing the farmers and fighting for their rights.