Livelihood Dependence on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) - A Study of Jenukuruba Tribes in South India

An understanding of the nature and extent of households' dependence on NTFPs can facilitate the policy decisions for development and welfare of tribals vis-a-vis conservation and management of forest wealth. The present study provides some insight regarding the forest dependence of Jenukurubas, a sect of primitive tribe, living in and around the protected forests of Heggada Devanakote region in South India. The analysis of socio-economic characteristics of households using Logit regression shows that wage employment, land ownership and income from agriculture lowered the probability that a household would go for NTFPs collection. Joint family system and large family size would increase the probability of collection of NTFPs by tribal households. The study also establishes the fact that, it is primarily out of sheer necessity, the tribals venture for NTFPs collection and not for their commercial gains. The extent of dependence on NTFPs was very strong and its sudden withdrawal would severely affect the livelihood of the stakeholders, particularly, the landless tribals. Therefore, successful rehabilitation requires phased withdrawal of NTFPs by providing alternative sources of income and employment opportunities.Non-timber forest products, Jenukuruba tribe, Livelihood dependence, Logit model, South India, Labor and Human Capital,

Stability Analysis of Raw Cotton Export Markets of India – Markov Chain Approach

Cotton is an important fibre crop of India which plays a dominant role in the country’s economy by meeting the domestic and export demands. It contributes significantly to both agriculture and industry in terms of farm income, employment and export earnings. India, despite being the third largest producer of cotton in the world, has not exploited its potential to emerge as a major player in the world raw cotton exports. The present level of exports is not consistent and exhibits high variations in volume and revenue earnings. In this paper, the dynamics of changes have been measured in the export of raw cotton from India to different export markets employing the Markov-Chain model. The results have shown China as the sole stable destination for our cotton exports. The other traditional importing countries such as Bangladesh, Germany, Indonesia, the UK, Japan and Korea have recorded low retention probabilities during pre- and post-economic reform periods, indicating unstable export share to these markets.Agricultural and Food Policy,

Stability Analysis of Raw Cotton Export Markets of India – Markov Chain Approach

Cotton is an important fibre crop of India which plays a dominant role in the country’s economy by meeting the domestic and export demands. It contributes significantly to both agriculture and industry in terms of farm income, employment and export earnings. India, despite being the third largest producer of cotton in the world, has not exploited its potential to emerge as a major player in the world raw cotton exports. The present level of exports is not consistent and exhibits high variations in volume and revenue earnings. In this paper, the dynamics of changes have been measured in the export of raw cotton from India to different export markets employing the Markov-Chain model. The results have shown China as the sole stable destination for our cotton exports. The other traditional importing countries such as Bangladesh, Germany, Indonesia, the UK, Japan and Korea have recorded low retention probabilities during pre- and post-economic reform periods, indicating unstable export share to these markets

Livelihood Dependence on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) - A Study of Jenukuruba Tribes in South India

An understanding of the nature and extent of households' dependence on NTFPs can facilitate the policy decisions for development and welfare of tribals vis-a-vis conservation and management of forest wealth. The present study provides some insight regarding the forest dependence of Jenukurubas, a sect of primitive tribe, living in and around the protected forests of Heggada Devanakote region in South India. The analysis of socio-economic characteristics of households using Logit regression shows that wage employment, land ownership and income from agriculture lowered the probability that a household would go for NTFPs collection. Joint family system and large family size would increase the probability of collection of NTFPs by tribal households. The study also establishes the fact that, it is primarily out of sheer necessity, the tribals venture for NTFPs collection and not for their commercial gains. The extent of dependence on NTFPs was very strong and its sudden withdrawal would severely affect the livelihood of the stakeholders, particularly, the landless tribals. Therefore, successful rehabilitation requires phased withdrawal of NTFPs by providing alternative sources of income and employment opportunities