ASSESSMENT OF LIVELIHOOD DIVERSIFICATION AND FOOD SECURITY IN FARM HOUSEHOLDS OF UTTARAKHAND HILLS
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Date
2018
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Publisher
ICAR-NDRI, KARNAL
Abstract
Diversification has become a common term associated with small farms due to low
profitability and higher risk involved in farming. Involvement in non-farm occupations reduces
risk by combining activities that have different risk profiles; it can also ameliorate the labor and
consumption smoothing problems associated with seasonality.The present study was, therefore,
conducted in Uttarakhand hills with the objectives: 1) to examine the status of employment and
food security across different regions of the state; 2) to assess the extent of livelihood
diversification and its determinants in selected households; and 3) to investigate the linkage
between livelihood activities, food security and socio-economic factors.The study utilized both
secondary and primary data. Secondary data was procured from NSSO under Schedule 1.0 &
Schedule 10, for two rounds, viz., 61st and 68th round, while primary data were collected for two
seasons,i.e.,winters in 2016-17 and summers in 2017-18. A sample of 200 farm households was
drawn using multistage random sampling technique. Tabular analysis was done and FGT index
was calculated to analyze first objective whereas multiple linear regression model and binary
logit model were estimated to analyze second and third objectives, respectively.Results revealed
that from 61st to 68th round total labor force and work force declined in usual status by 7.58 per
cent and 7.87 per cent, respectively. Sector-wise distribution of workforce showed a sharp decline
of 17.28 per cent workforce in primary sector from 61st to 68th round. The relative share of
workforce engaged in cereal and pulse production declined hugely by 20.65 percent from 61st to
68th round. On the other hand, mixed farming showed a positive momentum over the years. Food
security status of the state revealed that hilly region fared well in terms of calorie intake than the
plain region in each round. The head count index of food insecurity showed that theincidence of
food insecurity came down to 52 per cent in 68th round from 61 per cent of 61st round in plains
and 39 per cent from 46 per cent in hills during the same period. Results obtained from primary
data observed 0.39 average value of diversification index, which suggests a moderate level of
livelihood diversification among sample households. Around 19 per cent of the sample
households belonged to low, 49.50 per cent to moderate and 31.50 per cent households belonged
to high level of livelihood diversification. Regression analysis results revealed that household
structure, dependency ratio, education of household, organization membership and training had
positive effect while age of household head and farm size had negative effect on livelihood
diversification.At an overall level, deficiency of all the nutrients, viz., energy, protein and fat was
observed for men, women and children, but was more prominent among children.Around 65 per
cent households in the study area were found food insecure with an average calorie intake of
2336.08 kcal per day. For rest 35 per cent households, average calorie intake per day calculated
was 2829.04 kcal.The results of binary logit model showed that 2 variables namely sex of
household head and dependency ratio had negative effect on food security. While 6 variables,
viz., transfer income, number of livelihood activities, age of HH head, food aid recipient,
extension utilization and technology had a positive effect on food security. A major challenge
identified was to promote livelihood and retain work force through local employment and income
generation to enhance quality of life of the people living in rural areas of the state. As soil and
topography in the state are not suitable for mono-cropping, mixed agricultural practices need to
be adopted. This diversified agriculture could be a healthy mix of animal husbandry including
cattle rearing, poultry, fishing, beekeeping, etc. A targeted monitoring to ensure food availability
through PDS to lower income population should be done and range of food products can be
increased for this particular target group. Streamlining and tightening of the food distribution
system is equally important. Extension services is one of the prime factors for educating farmers
regarding adoption of new technology, about nutritional aspects, etc.; hence, should be performed
efficiently.