International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
Dr. A.Jagadeesh babu, Director – Professor, Vestal Academy of I.T.& Management. G.N.T. Road, Vatluru; Eluru. 534 007. West Godavari Dist. Andhra Pradesh. India.
:- growth becomes inclusive and contributes to a significant reduction in rural poverty. It is in this context that XI Five Year Plan has adopted an Indian economy recorded a fairly high inclusive growth strategy of expanding GDP growth rate of 9.2 percent during livelihood opportunities to the excluded 2008-2013. Notwithstanding the social and occupational groups. relatively high growth rate, over 25 crore The rural poverty situation in India is rural population (45 million households) highly complex and greatly in the country remain locked in poverty. differentiated by geography, demography Contrary to the earlier estimates of rural and social class. Nearly 60 percent of the poverty, the Tendulkar Committee rural poor households are concentrated reported a rural poverty ratio of about in the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, 42 percent. While the number of rural Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, people living on less than Rs.50/-(US$1)a Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. These day decreased by 2.9 crores, the number states lag behind several others not only of rural people living on less than in terms of per capita income but also in Rs.62.5 ($1.25)a day grew by 3.5 crore human development outcomes. Some of during the same period. these states have also been witnessing The key challenge before the Indian Maoist insurgency. economy today is to ensure that its
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
In addition, certain social and Lack of access to last-mile services occupational groups in these states have further intensifies their poverty and been bearing a disproportionate burden affects their food security, health and of rural poverty. The Scheduled Castes, nutritional status. the Scheduled Tribes, the Minorities, single Women and households headed by women, persons with disability, the India’s strong economic growth has landless and the migrant labor suffer a consistently sought to include the rural disproportionate impact of poverty. poor, who are concentrated in areas Apart from deprivation, isolateion and where rainfed agriculture is the main exclusion that these communities and economic activity. However, poverty groups are subjected to, their factor persists because of limited and endowments are very limited and a inequitable access to productive significant proportion of them live in resources, such as land, water, improved fragile ecological zones, experiencing inputs and technologies and rapid deletion of natural resources microfinance, as well as vulnerability to Nature of Rural Poverty. drought and other natural disasters. Low levels of literacy and skills conspire Rural poverty in India is multi- to keep people in the poverty trap, dimensional. It is influenced by systemic preventing them from claiming their factors as well as structural changes in basic rights or from embarking on new the economy and exhibits geographic activities to earn income or build assets. and social characteristics. Multi - Dimensionality of Poverty The Department for International Development of the United Kingdom Most of the poor rural households are (DFID) has made a substantial resource - poor. A vast majority of them contribution to improving rural belong to the socially marginalized livelihoods in India. This has been groups of the SCs, the STs, the mainly achieved by supporting minorities and those engaged in low programmes led by state governments in productivity occupations. A predominant Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Madhya proportion of these households are Pradesh and West Bengal. These engaged in agricultural labor, even as programmes have adopted different agriculture sector has been experiencing approaches – from ‘watershed plus’ in a relative decline in Gross Domestic Andhra Pradesh and western Orissa to Product (GDP).In addition, the rural supporting Panchayat Raj institutions in poor have a limited skill base that Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal and restricts their occupational mobility to Integrated Tribal Development Agencies benefit from the urban- centric growth in southern Orissa. process. Poverty denies the poor households access to a wide range of However, the reduction of rural poverty markets and services, including credit. through livelihoods promotion has been
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014 a unifying goal. These programmes focus promotion of a ‘livelihoods approach’ in on some of the poorest and most remote the watershed programme in states such districts in these states and particularly as Andhra Pradesh lies in the desire to target women and socially excluded take a more inclusive approach to tribal and caste groups. The rural community development and directly livelihoods approach places people at the address some of the criticism that the centre of development, and programmes watershed programme, which is based on this approach help men and essentially land-based, does not benefit women build assets and develop their the poor, many of whom are landless. skills so that they can access new Such an approach focuses on people’s opportunities for income generation and livelihood assets and strategies. People’s employment. Most rural people depend own human capital – comprising the on natural resources and agriculture for skills, knowledge, ability to labour and their livelihoods and DFID-supported good health – is one asset on which they programmes pay particular attention to can draw. Hitherto, there has been the sustainable management of water, insufficient differentiation in land and forests. Particular packages of considering human capital within support are directed to the landless and livelihoods frameworks. In reality, to marginal farmers so they also have people’s human capital exhibits wide opportunities to benefit. diversity – including that attributable to disability – and livelihoods approaches need to reflect this. The DFID-supported Andhra Pradesh A Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approach Rural Livelihoods Project (APRLP) aims to provide a wider view of poverty covers five districts in Andhra Pradesh, than conventional income-based with a total population of over 15 approaches. It recognises the importance million. The target group for the project of ability to access resources and are the rural poor in those districts, entitlements, reduce risk and estimated to be up to 40% of the vulnerability, and exercise voice; it population. There are likely to be at therefore emphasises that the poor do least 150,000 Profoundly disabled have assets, options and strategies, and people in the project’s target population, that they are decision- takers; its and probably many more affected by concern with ‘getting below the surface’ someun-enumerated form of disability. to informal institutions and processes is particularly important; and it offers the prospect of identifying entry points for pro-poor change, and of sequencing activities in such a way as to minimise The irrigated area in Andhra Pradesh the danger of appropriation of benefits (GoAP) forms about 40% of the net sown by local elites. The rationale for the area by different sources. Out of the
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014 total area irrigated, 46% is irrigated by optimally by stakeholders; Alleviate wells, 35% by canals, 14% by tanks and poverty with diversified livelihood remaining 5% by other sources. programs through newly constructed However, figures indicate that only 38% minor irrigation tanks for increasing of the geographical area is under Agricultural production and rural cultivation which supports almost bout income in the economically backward 65% of labour force engaged in areas of Andhra Pradesh. The tanks agriculture. Andhra Pradesh Irrigation created under Andhra Pradesh and Livelihood Improvement Project was Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement mooted to tap the vast untapped Project (APILIP) cover the districts of potential that improved irrigation holds Adilabad, Khammam, Prakasam, and its positively impact and rural Kadapa and Ranga Reddy and livelihoods. The Andhra Pradesh rehabilitation of the existing medium Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement irrigation projects that stabilizes ayacut Project (APILIP) was initiated to in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, increase the irrigation potential and Khammam, Nalgonda, Medak, create livelihood programmes in Vijayanagaram, Prakasam, Chittoor, subproject areas. The Japan Bank for Kurnool, Nellore, Kadapa and International Cooperation extended Ananthapur districts is another part of Special Assistance for Project Formation programme under Andhra Pradesh of Andhra Pradesh Irrigation and Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement Livelihood Improvement Project Project (APILIP). (APILIP). Consequently it was agreed by Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) and Japan International Cooperation The key objective of the project is Agency (JICA) that 55 new minor increasing the agricultural production in irrigation tanks will be formed and 20 the state of Andhra Pradesh by medium irrigation projects modernized constructing and rehabilitating in the next six years that will be irrigation facilities interspersed in the constructed or rehabilitated in two state and improving water management phases to improve irrigation as well as and agriculture practices, thereby livelihood in Andhra Pradesh. It is enhancing agricultural income and funded by Japan International alleviating poverty. Care is taken to Cooperation Agency (JICA). ensure that the output of the Project is transparent, easily evaluated, and Andhra Pradesh Irrigation and sustainable for all stakeholders. Two Livelihood Improvement Project important points of focus of the project (APILIP) was created broadly for the: are: Creation and Stabilization of irrigation potential; Increasing of agricultural production; Increasing efficiency of Civil works i.e. water use; Managing water resources construction of new minor irrigation
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014 tanks, rehabilitation and modernization has not been able to support the family’s of medium irrigation, as well as capacity food requirements and fodder for their building and reform activities are to be cattle. As a result, rural households are well synchronized. forced to look at alternative means for supplementing their livelihoods. In this (no context, natural resource-based micro- more capital investment after enterprises have emerged as alternative construction): The Project will contain livelihood opportunities in rural areas. around a hundred individual sub- Varying socio-economic and projects of minor irrigation tanks and environmental trends including medium irrigation all proposed to be declining crop prices, swelling labour completed within the Japan forces, migration and urbanization International Cooperation Agency increased the demand for alternative (JICA) loan period. employment and off-farm livelihood The Government of Andhra Pradesh opportunities. Due to lack of skill negotiated the Andhra Pradesh development, formal employment ceased Irrigation and Livelihood Improvement to keep pace with the demand for Project (APILIP) to construct new minor employment. In this context, watershed irrigation tanks in water surplus basins development strategy facilitated small and rehabilitate medium irrigation landholders, landless and women groups projects, improving water management to benefit from small scale allied and agriculture practices and thereby activities. increasing agricultural income to be Micro-enterprises are worth giving implemented in three batches over a attention to for several reasons. Firstly, period of 6 years during 2007-2013. The in some areas these make a significant project comprises four components: contribution to household income, Civil Works employment and economic production. Secondly, they have a potentially key Sector Reforms role to play in supplying resilient and WUA Component and flexible services. Thirdly, compared to Consultancy Service land-based agriculture, they tend to generate relatively good income and hence provide resilience to household economic conditions. Finally, being Agriculture and allied activities support relatively less technology oriented, these livelihoods of nearly 70 per cent of activities support a proportionately India’s rural population. In recent years, larger section of the unskilled labour land-based livelihoods of small and force and produce larger number of marginal farmers are increasingly livelihoods per unit of output. Micro- becoming unsustainable, since their land enterprises are the keys to generate employment opportunities as well as
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014 income earning avenues to both landless, orientated. However, they were largely women and landholding people. inappropriate to the needs of the poor Therefore, the poverty alleviation in and the benefits were mostly captured semi-arid regions requires a greater by the wealthy. understanding of the interactions of Later, the approach changed towards agriculture and allied enterprises and ‘capacity-building’ in sector their implications for the household organizations to equip people and economy. organizations with the skills and Information on micro-enterprise based resources to do a better job. The concept livelihoods was drawn from a wide range of livelihoods and livelihoods analysis of published and unpublished sources, emerged in the mid nineties – closely including .field research by members of associated with poverty reduction GT- Agroecosystems at ICRISAT. strategies. This approach was useful to Although there is now rich debate and identify and prioritize the needs of the discussion on various aspects of community in enhancing their livelihoods, there is no evidence on livelihoods. overall synthesis of micro- enterprises, which are dependent on natural resource. This paper brings information Although micro-enterprises operate in together to create composite picture of very informal, unregulated changes in rural livelihoods and environments, the fortunes of most of enhanced livelihood opportunities. these activities are connected by supply chains through production channels and the influence of competition, to mainstream commercial markets. These Small-scale entrepreneurship through interrelationships increasingly link watershed development plays a allied enterprise activities performance significant role in poor people’s lives and to the behavior of other actors in is one of the keys to lifting people out of economic networks. Most times poverty. Some of the activities are the production activities of allied enterprises backbone on which the rural society are supported by local markets to fulfill survives in most arid and semi-arid local demand. However, monopoly does regions. Watershed development not arise as diverse actors are involved primarily aiming sustainable in the production processes. Thus, most management of natural resources often, micro-enterprise activity serves as contributing for overall agriculture a strong social capital, within the development and livelihood promotion in community, builds strong social rural areas. Initial poverty eradication network. efforts in India concentrated on supply of agricultural technologies, inputs and services that were often ‘production’
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
The innovative farmer participatory about 80 per cent of honey is used approach for integrated watershed directly in medicines and 10 per cent is management implemented through a used in Ayurvedic and consortium of research organizations, pharmaceutical production (GoI, 2006). development agencies and NGOs Studies found that apiculture is an envisages a strategy of convergence of excellent, esthetic livelihood generating the activities in watersheds. In this endangered hobby. It has a potential paper, experiences from APRLP- market with environmental ICRISAT, ADB funded and other responsibility and worldwide medicinal projects are used to describe success and nutritional recognition. Apiculture stories of growing micro-enterprise requires less investment and easy-to- activities in rural watersheds . learn. It also helpsin pollination of crops and increase seed setting in many crops.
Medicinal and aromatic plants possess watershed program is an important the ability to grow in poor soils and intervention in dry land areas to under low rainfall and moisture improve crop as well as livestock conditions, there by assisting in the productivity. Small ruminants like, natural regeneration of these crops. sheep or goats are the best source of These crops improve specialized skills; regular cash income throughout the year encourage contacts with niche markets; for rural poor without much investment. adds to crop diversification; and provides They form a major component in a tree- employment opportunities. Value crop-livestock diversification/integration addition to medicinal and aromatic paradigm. As integrated crop-dairy plants product is one of the objectives of crop diversification. farming system is a viable and profitable proposition to the farmers, upgrading livestock is essential. The harvesting of honey from the forest has been in practice since long and huge profits from this enterprise promoted Village seed bank system was introduced rearing bees in the farms. In the recent as part of income-generating activities in past rural communities while many watersheds. These seed banks are diversifying their agricultural practices, providing self-sufficiency and self reliant have adopted this practice gradually. for farming communities since they Production of honey from farmlands can experience the drudgery of seed be a secondary activity for farmers as it companies in terms of spurious seeds requires less time as compared with supply. Therefore, seed banks emerged other activities and can be carried out by as a worthy social capital in rural areas. women in a house. On an estimate,
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
Vermiculture became a prominent with other supplemental food. Rearing of micro-enterprise for rural landless and improved breed like broilers can increase women groups, as it requires low the returns and improve the livelihood investment. Vermiculture is options. environment friendly as it converts disposal of organic wastes generated in Teak planting, pomegranate farms as well as in household front as cultivation and custard apple cultivation productive plant nutrient. These along the bunds and marginal lands will residues contain valuable plant nutrient provide profit to the farmers. and can be effiectively used for increasing the agricultural productivity. Earthworms convert the residues into Nursery raising forms a means of valuable source of plant nutrients by livelihood for large number of people . feeding on the organic material and Nursery raising as the means for excreting out valuable organic manure. developing livelihood and income- Earthworms are one of the major soil generating opportunities for the local macro-invertebrates. The role of communities. It also provides capacity earthworms in the soil is to improve soil building and skills upgrading for fertility and soil health. Vermicompost members of the communities. Nursery increases water-holding capacity of the raising generates cash income, means for soil, promotes crop growth, helps poverty alleviation, opportunity for produce more, and improves food and women and aged people to contribute to fodder quality. income generation and flexible working hours.
Dal making is a best micro-enterprise to avoid middlemen and get maximum Micro-enterprises are informal, low market price for the product. Dal- costs, local business hubs for livelihood making is also a value addition to the security of poor marginalized section of product through which farmers can the society. The further promotion of benefit the most. This micro-enterprise these allied enterprises lies in the is brings women self-help groups interest of decision makers and together and builds strong social practitioners. Thus, following specific network among rural communities. points to be taken care while Apart from value addition to the formulating policies to promote micro- product, farmers also get nutrient-rich enterprises. fodder to feed animal (ICRISAT, 2004). A. Easy availability of rural finance for their effective operation and smooth Agro wastes (eg, from maize cultivation) running. can be diverted for poultry feed along
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
B. Providing appropriate training to urgent need to understand how improve necessary skills in their chosen watershed development can become a activity. part of efforts to support most diverse livelihood portfolios where a win-win C. Facilitating effective support system situation can be created through to overcome uncertain and unorganized improving the resource base which marketing system for products. creates a more conducive environment D. Policies should concentrate on for undertaking micro-enterprise effective pricing for goods and services activities, leading to an overall increase generated by micro-enterprises. in standard of living, employment, E. Necessary arrangements need to be poverty reduction and building resilience created to provide su4cient revolving of the community to cope with the fund as project contribution to SHGs to impacts of drought. overcome .financial crisis.
F. Adequate capacity building training . A report programs need to be arranged to on the brainstorming session on improve the skills of landless and women ‘Apiculture in India – Problems and groups and to provide necessary Prospects and Need for Biotech information about new technologies, Interventions’ under the auspices of marketing avenues and techniques. National Bio-resource Development Board of DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of It has been demonstrated from the above India at New Delhi. case studies that the relationship between agriculture, natural resources APRLP-ICRISAT and micro-enterprises are interrelated. Project: Improved livelihood It is therefore, important to be able to opportunities through watersheds, understand exactly what is likely to completion report,. Submitted to occur in particular contexts. Given the Andhra Pradesh Rural Livelihood increased witness on the role of micro- Project (APRLP) and Department of enterprise in promoting rural livelihoods International Development (DFID), and the associated increase in the New Delhi, India. proportion of household income derived FAO (2007) Rural Income from these activities. Generating Activities: A Cross Agricultural allied enterprises should be Country Comparison. viewed as an alternative to mainstream Government of India (2001) Report non-farm employment opportunities and of the Task Force on Employment although not the perfect way of Opportunities, Planning providing employment to the poor in Commission. rain-fed farming. Therefore, there is an
International Journal of Academic Research ISSN: 2348-7666 Vol.1 Issue-3(1), September, 2014
Government of India (2006) Towards Series No. 1-2005 , Commission for a Faster and More Inclusive Growth- Agricultural Costs and Prices, An Approach Paper for 11th Five Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of Year Plan, Planning Commission. India: http://dacnet.nic.in/cacp/ Government of India (2006) Results Mehta Rajiv (2007) Rural Non Farm of Employment and Unemployment Employment (RNFE) and its Survey, NSS report 515 National Measurement through National Sample Survey Organization, Sample Surveys on Employment Ministry of Statistics and Program Unemployment, National Seminar Implementation, New Delhi. on the results of NSS 61st Round, National Sample Survey Government of India (2006) Organisation, Govt. of India, New Concepts and Definitions Used in Delhi: NSS, NSS Golden Jubilee http://mospi.gov.in/nsso_4aug2008/w Publication, National Sample Survey eb/nsso/cpd/seminar/seminar_61R.pd Organization, Ministry of Statistics f and Program Implementation, New Delhi. United Nations (2007), The Wye Group Handbook ‘Rural Households Haque T (1999) Small Farms Livelihood and Well-Being’ Diversification : Problems and Prospects, Proceedings of National World Bank (2008), World Workshop on Small Farm Development Report “Agriculture Diversification: Problems and and Development Prospects, T. Haque (Ed), National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research 1999. Joshi P. K., Gulati Ashok, and Ralph Cummings Jr. (Eds.) (2007), Agricultural Diversification and Small Holders in South Asia, Academic Foundation, New Delhi. Jha B. (2006) Rural non-farm employment in India: Macro-trends, Micro-evidences and Policy options, Institute of Economic Growth Working Paper. Mehta Rajiv (2005) Dynamics of Crop Diversification- A Quantitative Analysis, CACP Working Paper