Accounting for the Determinants Affecting the Rise of Rural Non-Farm Sector in India: A Study of Selected Villages of the 3 Districts of West Bengal

International Journal of Human Development and Sustainability 4(1): Spring 2011

20 Pages Posted: 3 Jan 2016 Last revised: 6 Jan 2016

Date Written: January 10, 2010

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to identify some of the factors affecting accessibility to nonfarm activities of our focus group namely marginal, landless and small holder farmers of the three districts of West Bengal.

The study was based on existing literature on the subject as well as on field studies. The case study is presented covering ten villages randomly selected from the industrially backward districts of West Midnapur, North 24 Parganas and South 24 parganas of West Bengal. 403 households were interviewed. 102 households were selected from North 24 Parganas, 105 households from South 24 parganas and 196 households from West Midnapur. Primary data was collected through questionnaires visiting 403 households.

The study shows, that the shift of the farmers from farm activities to nonfarm activities is not a myth it a reality. Growth in non-farm activities was the of not only push or distress induced factors like fragmentation of land, financial indebtedness crop cultivation becoming an increasingly investment-intensive activity demanding mechanization, more investment is better quality manures, and seeds, pesticides, which is difficult to afford specially with agricultural crops seeing only modest prices but also due to more positive or pull induced factors like growth of literacy, job opportunities and increased demand for non-crop food and services. Thus non farm activities are becoming more important amongst marginal and landless farmers.

Keywords: Rural non-farm activities, push-induced, distress- induced, pull-induced

JEL Classification: M20, M21, M29

Suggested Citation

Ghosh, Sumona, Accounting for the Determinants Affecting the Rise of Rural Non-Farm Sector in India: A Study of Selected Villages of the 3 Districts of West Bengal (January 10, 2010). International Journal of Human Development and Sustainability 4(1): Spring 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2709945

Sumona Ghosh (Contact Author)

St Xavier's College ( email )

30, Mother Teresa Sarani
Kolkata, 700016
India

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