This paper examines the household livelihood strategies under
agrarian distress in Pulpalli Panchayat of Kerala. It also looks at the
relationship between household assets and livelihood strategies. The
negotiations of institutions by the marginalized and depressed sections
of the society were analysed in detail.
Major causes of agrarian distress in the study area are the ecological
degradation and fall in crops income. Land continues to be the most
important asset determining livelihood outcomes. The livelihood
strategies have been investigated in relation to land, education, housing
pattern, investments & credit facilities, and participation in organizational
activities. The livelihood strategies adopted by farmers in the wake of
agrarian crisis includes diversification of agriculture, share cropping,
organic farming, self-help group activities, cattle rearing, migration and
exchange of labour. Livelihood strategies varied across socio-economic
groups as farmers owning better landholdings diversified cropping
patterns while poor households participated in the activities of SHGs.
Casual agricultural labourers and marginal farmers moved to other places
in search of jobs. Mitigation of agrarian distress requires public provision
of education, health and other social safety measures.
Key words: Livelihood risk, Coping Strategies, Livelihood, Livelihood
Assets, Institutions, Wayanad, Kerala
JEL Classification: Q, Q 0
