Rural Livelihoods
Introduction
About 65% of India's population lives in villages. How do they earn a living? The majority are farmers, but there are also many other occupations. This chapter explores the different ways rural people earn their livelihoods, the challenges they face, and how their lives are changing.
Farming — The Main Livelihood
Agriculture is the main occupation in rural India. About 60% of rural households depend on farming for their livelihood.
Types of Farmers
| Type | Land Owned | Income Level |
|---|---|---|
| Large farmers | More than 5 hectares | High — sell surplus in market |
| Medium farmers | 2 to 5 hectares | Moderate — some surplus |
| Small farmers | 1 to 2 hectares | Low — barely enough |
| Marginal farmers | Less than 1 hectare | Very low — need other work |
In India, about 85% of farmers are small or marginal farmers (owning less than 2 hectares). This is one of the biggest challenges in Indian agriculture.
The Farming Cycle
| Month (AP) | Activity |
|---|---|
| June-July | Sowing (kharif crops — rice, maize, cotton) |
| August-October | Weeding, fertilising, pest control |
| November-December | Harvesting kharif crops |
| December-January | Sowing (rabi crops — wheat, pulses, oilseeds) |
| February-March | Harvesting rabi crops |
| April-May | Land preparation for next season |
Crops Grown by Farmers
| Crop Type | Examples | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Food grains | Rice, wheat, maize, millets | Kharif and Rabi |
| Pulses | Red gram, black gram, green gram | Both seasons |
| Oilseeds | Groundnut, sunflower, sesame | Rabi |
| Cash crops | Cotton, sugarcane, tobacco | Kharif |
| Vegetables | Brinjal, tomato, okra, leafy greens | Year-round |
| Fruits | Mango, banana, papaya, citrus | Seasonal |
Rice is the main crop in Andhra Pradesh. The state is called the 'Rice Bowl of India' because of its high rice production.
Farm Labourers
Farm labourers are people who work on other people's farms for wages. They usually do not own any land.
Conditions of Farm Labourers
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Wages | Low — often below minimum wage |
| Work | Seasonal — not available year-round |
| Job security | None — hired on a daily or seasonal basis |
| Living conditions | Poor — often live in huts or rented rooms |
| Children | Often work to supplement family income |
| Health | Poor nutrition and healthcare |
Types of Farm Labour
- Permanent labour — Hired for the whole year (rare today)
- Seasonal labour — Hired only during sowing or harvesting
- Daily wage labour — Hired by the day
- Contract labour — Hired for a specific task (e.g., weeding)
A farm labourer in Andhra Pradesh may earn Rs. 300-500 per day during the farming season but may have no work for several months of the year.
MGNREGA — Employment Guarantee
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees:
- 100 days of work per year to each rural household
- Work within 5 km of the village
- Minimum wages
- Work within 15 days of application
If work is not provided, the government must pay an unemployment allowance.
MGNREGA has helped millions of rural families in Andhra Pradesh. The state has one of the highest MGNREGA work allocations in India.
Non-Farm Activities
Many rural people earn a living through non-farm activities:
| Occupation | What They Do | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Potter | Makes clay pots and utensils | Low to moderate |
| Blacksmith | Makes and repairs iron tools | Low to moderate |
| Carpenter | Makes furniture, builds houses | Moderate |
| Weaver | Weaves cloth on handlooms | Low to moderate |
| Toddy tapper | Collects palm sap for toddy | Moderate |
| Fisher | Catches fish in rivers/ponds | Low to moderate |
| Shopkeeper | Runs a small village shop | Moderate |
| Transport provider | Owns a cycle rickshaw, auto, or bullock cart | Low to moderate |
| Teacher | Teaches in village school | Moderate |
| Nurse/ASHA worker | Provides health services | Low to moderate |
| Tailor | Stitches clothes | Low to moderate |
| Mason | Builds houses and structures | Moderate |
Diversity of Rural Livelihoods
Villages are not just about farming. A typical village has:
- Farmers (small, medium, large)
- Farm labourers
- Artisans (potters, weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters)
- Service providers (teachers, nurses, shopkeepers)
- Traders (buy and sell agricultural produce)
- Money lenders (lend money to farmers)
In a typical Andhra village, you will find rice farmers, toddy tappers, weavers, potters, fishermen, and small shopkeepers — all living side by side.
Debt and Migration
Why Do Farmers Fall Into Debt?
- Low income — Many farmers barely earn enough to survive
- High input costs — Seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, labour are expensive
- Crop failure — Drought, flood, or pest attack can destroy a crop
- Medical expenses — Illness in the family forces borrowing
- Social expenses — Weddings, funerals, festivals require money
- High interest rates — Moneylenders charge high interest (24-60% per year)
- No savings — Most farmers have no savings to fall back on
Farmer Suicides
India has witnessed a tragic number of farmer suicides, especially in:
- Maharashtra (Vidarbha region)
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Punjab
The main reasons are debt, crop failure, and lack of support from the government.
Migration
Migration means moving from one place to another in search of work.
Reasons for migration:
- Seasonal unemployment — No work in the village for part of the year
- Better wages — Cities and other regions offer higher wages
- Drought or crop failure — No income from farming
- Debt — Need to earn money to pay off loans
- Education — Children need to study in towns
Where do migrants go?
- From rural AP to: Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi
- From Andhra to the Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE)
Migration is a survival strategy for millions of rural families. The money sent back (remittances) helps families cope with poverty.
AP Context: Farming in Andhra Pradesh
Krishna-Godavari Delta Farming
- The Krishna and Godavari river deltas are the most fertile agricultural regions in Andhra Pradesh.
- Main crop: Paddy (rice) — two to three crops a year in the delta region
- Other crops: Sugarcane, chilli, tobacco, cotton, mango, banana, coconut
- Irrigation: Canal irrigation from river dams (Prakasam Barrage, Nagarjunasagar Dam)
- New challenges: Water scarcity, salinity in coastal areas, cyclones
The Krishna-Godavari delta is called the 'food bowl' of Andhra Pradesh. The rich alluvial soil and abundant water make it ideal for paddy cultivation.
Tenant Farmers
Tenant farmers are farmers who do not own land but rent it from landowners.
- They pay rent in cash or kind (share of the crop — often 50%).
- They have no security — the landlord can evict them anytime.
- They are not eligible for bank loans or government subsidies (no land papers).
- They are often exploited by landowners.
- Many are illiterate and cannot assert their rights.
The Andhra Pradesh Tenancy Act provides some protection to tenant farmers, but in practice, many tenants have no written lease and can be evicted easily.
Government Schemes for Farmers
| Scheme | Benefit |
|---|---|
| PM-KISAN | Rs. 6,000 per year to small farmers |
| Crop Insurance (PMFBY) | Insurance against crop loss |
| Minimum Support Price (MSP) | Guaranteed price for certain crops |
| Rythu Bharosa (AP) | Rs. 13,500 per year to farmers in AP |
| Input Subsidies | Subsidised seeds, fertilisers, electricity |
| MGNREGA | 100 days guaranteed work |
Common Mistakes Students Make
- Thinking all rural people are farmers — many are farm labourers, artisans, or service providers.
- Believing large farmers face the same problems as small farmers — small farmers face much greater hardship.
- Confusing 'tenant farmer' with 'farm labourer' — tenant farmers rent land; labourers work for wages.
- Thinking migration is always permanent — most migration is seasonal (circular migration).
- Forgetting that non-farm activities are an important part of rural livelihoods.
Quick Self-Test
- What are the different types of farmers based on land ownership?
- What challenges do small and marginal farmers face?
- Who are farm labourers?
- What is MGNREGA?
- Name three non-farm occupations in rural areas.
- Why do farmers fall into debt?
- What is migration and why does it happen?
- Where do people from rural Andhra Pradesh migrate to?
- What crops are grown in the Krishna-Godavari delta?
- What is a tenant farmer?
Exam Focus (5 Marks)
- Describe the different types of rural livelihoods in India.
- Explain the problems faced by small farmers and farm labourers.
- Discuss farming in the Krishna-Godavari delta, including crops, irrigation, and the situation of tenant farmers.
