MALHOTRA, RKHARKWAL, SHEELA2023-11-082023-11-082018https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810200643Diversification 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.EnglishThesis