Nets for social safety: an analysis of the growth and changing composition of social security programmes in the fisheries sector of Kerala State, India

Nets for Social Safety is a first –of –its-kind study, specially commissioned by the International Collective in Support of Fishworkers, to focus on the growth and changing composition of social security provisions in the fisheries sector of Kerala, a small coastal State in southwest India. John Kurien and Antonyto Paul, the authors of the study, enumerate the achievements and problems confronted by a developing maritime State in trying to ensure that a section of its population, which are initially left out of the development process, is netted back into the mainstream. They show how, in Kerala, this process was not only the result of enlightened State policy, but also, more importantly, the result of the collective action by fishworkers themselves. (76pp.) Among the many insights that can be gleaned from the study, one significant conclusion is that, even with limited means, a developing State can conceive and implement innovative social security

Livelihood risks and coping strategies : a case study in the agrarian village of Cherumad, Kerala

This paper examines the various dimensions of livelihood risk as informed by a in-depth case study of an agrarian village namely, Cherumad in Kerala. The livelihood risk in Cherumad since the last quarter of the 1990’s has been unique and unprecedented in their nature and intensity. The effect of price risk and productivity risk of crops became an income risk to the farming community. For agricultural labour too it was an income risk with double effects of wage risk and employment risk. These risk have resulted in a general fall in the living standards of people. The livelihood dynamics in Cherumad shows that improvement in livelihood assets improves livelihood outcomes and vice versa. Institutions (both formal and informal) affect access to assets and livelihood outcomes. Across socio-economic groups, livelihood outcome are determined by the portfolio of livelihood assets, especially land. The households have developed a number of coping strategies in response to distress. These strategies are meant to smooth consumption and income and rebuilding household livelihood. In this context, the overall emphasis of state intervention should be in strengthening their livelihood assets. Key words: Livelihood risk, Coping Strategies, Livelihood, Livelihood Assets, Institutions, Kerala JEL Classification: Q, Q 00

Social Security Nets for Marine Fisheries

This paper attempts to explain the provision of social security in the fisheries sector of Kerala State in south India. It enumerates the salient achievements and the problems faced by the state in providing concrete social security measures for fishworkers. They were a section of Kerala society that was initially left out of the development process. The study also shows how netting them back into the mainstream was not only the result of enlightened state policy, but also, the result of the collective action by the fishworkers themselves. Finally, the paper reflects on what more needs to be done to further improve the standard of living of the fishing communities in Kerala and to streamline the delivery of social security. [WP 318].workers, population, chronic poverty, fisheries sector, family, society, fishing communities, standard of living, protective, promotional, public action, fisheries sector, Kerala, fish workers, social security, India, south,

Social security nets for marine fisheries: The growth and changing composition of social security programmes in the fisheries sector of Kerala state

Social Security is achieved when deprivation or vulnerability is reduced or removed as a result of using social means, thereby, in the process, making lives and livelihoods more secure. However, provision of such social security measures is influenced by various supply and demand factors. This paper attempts to explain the provision of social security in the fisheries sector of Kerala State in south India. It enumerates the salient achievements and the problems faced by the state in providing concrete social security measures for fishworkers. They were a section of Kerala society that was initially left out of the development process. The study also shows how netting them back into the mainstream was not only the result of enlightened state policy, but also, the result of the collective action by the fishworkers themselves. Finally, the paper reflects on what more needs to be done to further improve the standard of living of the fishing communities in Kerala and to streamline the delivery of social security.protective social security, promotional social security, public action, fisheries sector, fishing communities, Kerala

Livelihood Risks and Coping strategies: A Case Study in the Agrarian Village of Cherumad

ABSTRACT This paper examines the various dimensions of livelihood risk as informed by a in-depth case study of an agrarian village namely, Cherumad in Kerala. The livelihood risk in Cherumad since the last quarter of the 1990's has been unique and unprecedented in their nature and intensity. The effect of price risk and productivity risk of crops became an income risk to the farming community. For agricultural labour too it was an income risk with double effects of wage risk and employment risk. These risk have resulted in a general fall in the living standards of people. The livelihood dynamics in Cherumad shows that improvement in livelihood assets improves livelihood outcomes and vice versa. Institutions (both formal and informal) affect access to assets and livelihood outcomes. Across socio-economic groups, livelihood outcome are determined by the portfolio of livelihood assets, especially land. The households have developed a number of coping strategies in response to distress. These strategies are meant to smooth consumption and income and rebuilding household livelihood. In this context, the overall emphasis of state intervention should be in strengthening their livelihood assets

Dynamics of irrigation institutions: Case study of village panchayat in Kerala

Based on field work in a village panchayat in Kerala, analyzing the complex issues concerning the development and working of irrigation institutions, the present study reveals that successful management of irrigation is contingent upon the level of participation of the water users in the management. By comparing irrigation institutions under different property rights, the study identifies the significant factors that contribute to the success and sustainability of irrigation institutions. It is found that albeit the physical characteristics of irrigation systems and the heterogeneities of the members of the user groups do impact the outcome, it is the institutional environment as reflected in the presence of clear as well as flexible systems of rules and regulations, enforcement mechanisms, nesting and networking of such institutions etc. that have become the most crucial determinants. For this, presence of able and fair leadership and the manoeuvring of various sources of power are found to be essential.irrigation, institutions, water management, irrigation organisations, sustainability