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Determinants and Constraints of Rural Household Livelihood Diversification among the Scheduled Caste Families: Evidence from West Bengal
SHAMNA A * 1, Suniti Kumar Jha2 , Gouranga Kar3 , Nurnabi Meherul Alam4 , Ranjan Kumar Naik5 , Sonali Paul Mazumdar6 , Paritosh Biswas7 , Sourav Samanta8
1- Senior Scientist, Agriculture Extension, ICAR CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata , shamnababun@gmail.com
2- Principal Scientist, ICAR CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata
3- Director, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata
4- Senior Scientist, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata
5- Principal Scientist, ICAR-CRIJAF, Barrackpore, Kolkata
6- Senior Scientist, ICAR-CRIJAF
7- Field Worker, DST SEED Project, ICAR-CRIJAF
8- Project Associate-1, DST SEED Project, ICAR-CRIJAF
Abstract:   (244 Views)
Livelihood diversification is the key to a sustainable rural economy. The study aimed to assess livelihood diversity, determinants, and constraints among the scheduled caste families in Beraberia village of North 24 Parganas, West Bengal to plan a foolproof developmental program. Simple random sampling was followed to select a sample size 108 from the study area. The Simpson livelihood index formula was used to assess the level of livelihood diversification, and the Tobit model was used to find the determinants of the livelihood diversity index. A preferential ranking technique was followed to analyze the constraints in livelihood diversification. The most common livelihood activity in the study was agriculture, with an income contribution of 60.72%. Around 66 percent of the households had a medium to high livelihood diversity index. The Tobit regression model result showed that income, economic motivation, and access to credit were the significant determinants of livelihood diversification in the study area. At the same time, the family dependency ratio negatively influenced the Diversification index. Further, the constraint analysis in livelihood diversification revealed that lack of capital (RBQ 0.77) and livelihood assets (0.75) were significant impediments to livelihood diversification. The study suggests that government bodies must prioritize credit access and capacity building among SC families in rural areas to create more profitable and sustainable livelihoods among the weaker sections of society.

 
Keywords: Diversification, Livelihood, Rank Based Quotient, Scheduled caste, Tobit Model.
Full-Text [PDF 477 kb]   (207 Downloads)    
Article Type: Original Research | Subject: Agricultural Extension and Education/Rural Development
Received: 2023/10/3 | Accepted: 2024/01/1
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